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ICPC Set to Arraign Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Over Corruption Allegations

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 24th, 2026.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, will be arraigned today, Tuesday, at the Federal High Court, Kaduna, over allegations of corruption and money laundering. The anti-graft agency also confirmed that co-defendant Joel Adoga will face the same charges.

The planned arraignment comes after mounting pressure from political stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which called for El-Rufai’s immediate arraignment or release, describing his prolonged detention without formal charges as a breach of constitutional rights. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) also criticised the extended detention, urging security agencies to respect due process. Members of the former governor’s family similarly appealed for his arraignment, citing concern over the ongoing custody.

According to a statement released Monday by ICPC’s Head of Media, John Odey, the federal case is registered as FHC/KD/73/2026, with charges including conversion and possession of public property and 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, the 24th of March, 2026,” the statement read.

In addition, ICPC has filed a separate case at the Kaduna State High Court, numbered KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, against El-Rufai and Amadu Sule (LEDA). The state-level charges include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage. The agency stated that the arraignment date for the state case will be communicated by the court in due course.

El-Rufai was first detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following an invitation on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently taken into ICPC custody, where he remains. The PUNCH reports that his detention has drawn significant attention from civil society groups and the media, with repeated calls for adherence to legal protocols and the rule of law.

The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to due process, assuring the public that all legal steps will be followed in the forthcoming arraignments. Analysts quoted by The Guardian Nigeria suggest the case will be closely monitored, given El-Rufai’s political profile and the wider implications for anti-corruption efforts in Kaduna State and the country at large.