ICPC arraigns El-Rufai in Kaduna court, youths stage protest

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El-Rufai

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By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

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Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Kaduna by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption-related offences.

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El-Rufai appeared before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, where proceedings focused on his arraignment on a multi-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency.

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Speaking to journalists after the session, counsel to the former governor, Ubong Akpan, said the charges largely relate to alleged deposits into El-Rufai’s domiciliary account and the monetization of his earnings.

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“Out of 10 counts, they joined him on only one,” Akpan said, adding that the defence raised concerns about proceeding with the arraignment due to a pending matter involving the presiding judge.

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He said despite the objection, Justice Aikawa went ahead with the arraignment and subsequently adjourned the case to March 31, 2026, to hear pending applications, including a bail request.

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Akpan clarified that no bail application was made during Tuesday’s proceedings.

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“It cannot be made for bail today because the application was made for arraignment today… It was adjourned to the 31st of this month to hear the application for bail,” he said.

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Meanwhile, there was a show of support for the former governor as groups of youths staged a peaceful protest outside the court premises, calling for his immediate release and describing the charges as politically motivated.

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Security personnel were deployed to maintain order as the demonstrators chanted solidarity songs and held placards.

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The ICPC legal team declined comments after the court session.

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A day earlier, the Commission had announced plans to arraign El-Rufai and one Joel Adoga before the Federal High Court in Kaduna in a case marked FHC/KD/73/2026. The charges include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.

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The ICPC also disclosed a separate case filed before a Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another defendant, Amadu Sule (LEDA). The matter, with charge number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, involves allegations of abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

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According to the Commission, both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, and the former governor has been duly served. It added that a date for arraignment at the State High Court would be announced later, reaffirming its commitment to due process and the rule of law.

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