Jun 15, 2026

ICPC: El-Rufai Returns to Kaduna Court

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Kaduna, Nigeria – June 15, 2026 — Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, arrived at the Federal High Court in Kaduna this morning for the continuation of legal proceedings brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai, who appeared in court accompanied by aides and supporters, was seen arriving at the court premises under tight security.

Photographs from the scene showed the former governor in both formal and traditional attire as he made his way into the courtroom.

Background of the Case The ICPC has filed a 10-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, bordering on allegations of abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud.

The charges, filed earlier this year, involve claims that the former governor unlawfully received inflated severance payments totalling approximately ₦579.6 million — far exceeding the legally entitled amount of about ₦20 million per term.

The anti-graft agency further alleges that El-Rufai dishonestly disposed of funds, including over $1 million linked to a World Bank loan, in violation of agreements.

Other counts relate to alleged fraudulent contracts during his tenure, including payments to companies for projects that were reportedly not executed.

El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations and entered a plea of not guilty when he was arraigned.

Court Proceedings Today’s appearance marks the continuation of the matter before the court. Proceedings are expected to focus on further arguments and applications as both the prosecution and defence teams present their positions before the presiding judge.

The case has witnessed several adjournments and pre-trial applications in recent months, including motions relating to bail conditions.

In related proceedings, a court had previously ruled that certain defendants linked to the matter had a case to answer and were to open their defence.

Political Significance El-Rufai remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and a key member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His ongoing legal battles with the ICPC have attracted significant public and political attention, with supporters describing the cases as politically motivated, while the anti-graft agency maintains it is pursuing accountability for alleged corruption during his eight-year tenure as governor.

As of the time of filing this report, no ruling or major development had emerged from today’s session. Further updates are expected as the court continues hearing the matter.

The ICPC has reiterated its commitment to pursuing corruption cases to their logical conclusion, regardless of the status of the individuals involved.