Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, arrived at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday morning under tight security for his arraignment over alleged corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai was brought to the court premises at about 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at approximately 9:34 a.m.
Dressed in a light green babanriga with a matching cap, he was heavily guarded as operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services formed a protective cordon around him into the courtroom.
In a statement by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission disclosed that El-Rufai would be arraigned alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
According to the agency, the charges include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering.
“Similarly, another charge against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division. The charges range from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage, among others.”
El-Rufai, who was brought to court under heavy security, faces a 10-count charge bordering on alleged financial improprieties. but, his legal team insisted that the former governor was not directly linked to nine of the ten count charge.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, his lawyer downplayed the gravity of the charges, describing them as allegations related to deposits into his domiciliary account and the monetisation of his earnings.
“What happened is that the prosecution applied to arraign him, and I respectfully point out that since Malam El-Rufai had pending proceedings before the court, the judge, in his wisdom, decided to proceed with the arraignment and also adjourned the matter to March 31 to hear any pending applications.
“That is all that happened, nothing problematic.
“As for bail, no application could be made today. The arraignment took place today, and the bail application has been filed. The matter has been adjourned to March 31 for the hearing of the bail application.
Photo: Godwin Isenyo