The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before the Kaduna State High Court on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.
The arraignment took place on Monday, April 13, 2026, before Darius Khobo of High Court 5, following an amendment to the original charge by the Commission’s prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha.
The prosecution explained that the initial joint charge filed against El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Amadu Sule, was amended due to the continued absence of Sule, who was said to be unavailable in court on medical grounds.
The court granted the application for amendment, allowing the ICPC to proceed with the arraignment of El-Rufai separately from the second defendant.
El-Rufai was subsequently docked on nine amended charges, which include alleged violations of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, the Kaduna State Penal Code 2017, and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law 2017.
When the charges were read, the former governor pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a date for trial and make necessary orders to ensure the defendant’s attendance throughout the proceedings.
In response, defence counsel informed the court of a pending application and requested that El-Rufai be granted bail on liberal terms.
After hearing both parties, Justice Khobo adjourned the matter to Tuesday, April 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application, ordering him to be remanded in the custody of the ICPC pending the determination of his bail request.
However, the court granted his bail application in the sum of N200 million. He was required to provide two sureties who must present the same financial guarantee before the court.
The court further ordered the two sureties, of whom one of them must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, to submit their international passports. The other surety must be a traditional ruler.
The court also ordered the former governor to refrain from making public statements about the case and to attend every scheduled court sitting throughout the trial.
