The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has announced that it will arraign former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, on charges ranging from conversion and possession of public property to money laundering.
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In a press release signed by John Okor Odey, Head of Media and Public Communications, and dated March 23, 2026, the ICPC also disclosed that a separate charge has been filed against El-Rufai at the Kaduna State High Court on charges including abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to confer undue advantage.
The twin arraignments — in both federal and state courts simultaneously — mark a significant escalation in the prosecution of the former governor, who has been in ICPC custody for over 30 days amid growing controversy over the prolonged detention without formal charges.
The ICPC disclosed that the federal charge, filed under Suit No. FHC/KD/73/2026, names El-Rufai alongside one Joel Adoga as defendants. The charges border on conversion and possession of public property and money laundering.
The arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Federal High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division.
Separately, another charge, numbered KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division. This charge names El-Rufai alongside one Amadu Sule, identified as LEDA, as defendants.
The charges in the state court case range from abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to conferring undue advantage, among others.
The ICPC said the date of arraignment in the State High Court will be communicated at the appropriate time as determined by the court.
The ICPC confirmed that both sets of charges were filed on March 18, 2026, indicating that the anti-corruption agency had been preparing the prosecution for some time while El-Rufai remained in custody.
The commission confirmed that El-Rufai has been duly served with the charges, meaning he has formal notice of the allegations against him and the court dates.
In its press release, the ICPC stated that it “wishes to inform the public that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been duly served” and “restates its commitment to adhering fully to due process and the rule of law at all times.”
This statement appears designed to address the growing criticism from lawyers, civil society organisations, and opposition figures over El-Rufai’s prolonged detention without arraignment — a situation that had raised fundamental questions about the former governor’s right to liberty and the presumption of innocence.
El-Rufai’s arraignment comes after more than 30 days in ICPC custody without formal charges — a period that generated significant legal and political controversy.
The ICPC had previously stated that El-Rufai’s own multiple lawsuits were responsible for delaying his arraignment. The former governor had filed several legal actions challenging his detention, including a fundamental rights suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, claiming N1 billion in damages, and a bail application.
In a related development, the Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna had earlier nullified a Kaduna State High Court judgment on the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s indictment of El-Rufai, holding that fair hearing was not accorded.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had fixed March 25 to hear El-Rufai’s fundamental rights suit, while a bail application was fixed for April 23. A separate challenge to El-Rufai’s remand order was also scheduled for hearing on March 31.
The filing of charges in both the Federal High Court and the Kaduna State High Court simultaneously is a prosecutorial strategy that reflects the different nature of the alleged offences.
The Federal High Court charge focuses on money laundering and conversion of public property — offences that fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and other federal statutes.
The Kaduna State High Court charge targets abuse of office, fraud, and conferring undue advantage — offences that can be prosecuted under state criminal law, particularly given that the alleged offences were committed while El-Rufai served as governor of Kaduna State.
By prosecuting on two fronts, the ICPC ensures that even if one set of proceedings faces legal challenges or jurisdictional issues, the other may continue independently.
The inclusion of co-defendants in both cases — Joel Adoga in the federal charge and Amadu Sule (LEDA) in the state charge — suggests that the ICPC’s investigation has identified specific individuals alleged to have participated in the transactions or schemes at the centre of the prosecution.
The identities and roles of these co-defendants have not been publicly detailed beyond their names as listed in the charges.
El-Rufai served as Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 under the All Progressives Congress. His administration was characterised by aggressive reform policies, significant infrastructure development, and considerable political controversy.
His prosecution has been viewed by some as politically motivated, particularly given the timing and the broader political dynamics within the APC. Others have argued that accountability for public officials is essential regardless of political affiliations.
The former governor’s supporters have maintained his innocence and criticised the prolonged detention as a violation of his fundamental rights. His legal team has been actively challenging the detention through multiple court actions.
Tuesday’s arraignment at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, will be the first formal court appearance where El-Rufai will be confronted with the specific charges against him and asked to enter a plea. The arraignment in the State High Court will follow at a date to be determined by the court.
Following arraignment, El-Rufai is expected to apply for bail in both courts. The terms of bail, if granted, and the schedule for the commencement of trial will be determined by the respective judges.
The multiple pending applications — including the fundamental rights suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja (fixed for March 25), the bail application (fixed for April 23), and the remand challenge (fixed for March 31) — may also intersect with the arraignment proceedings, creating a complex web of litigation across multiple courts.
The case is expected to be one of the most closely watched prosecutions in Nigeria in 2026, given El-Rufai’s political stature, the gravity of the charges, and the broader implications for accountability of former state governors.
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