The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai today over allegations involving multi-billion-naira fraud, abuse of office, and money laundering.
In a statement released on Monday, the commission confirmed that El-Rufai will appear before the Federal High Court in Kaduna Judicial Division in Suit No: FHC/KD/73/2026. He is expected to be arraigned alongside an associate. A separate case is also pending before the Kaduna State High Court, with a hearing date yet to be scheduled.
According to the ICPC, the charges stem from El-Rufai’s tenure as governor and include claims of financial misconduct, contract irregularities, and abuse of official powers. The commission alleged that he approved payments amounting to N11 billion to Indokaduna MRTS JV Nigeria Limited an entity described as unregistered for a light rail project that was never executed.
He is also accused of authorising severance payments totalling N289.8 million in 2020 and 2023, significantly exceeding his legal entitlement of about N20 million. Additionally, prosecutors claim he mismanaged $1,085,066.38 from a World Bank loan, contrary to the loan agreement.
Further allegations include the award of contracts worth billions of naira, such as a N4.61 billion CCTV project and a $22.47 million contract to Singularity Network Security Limited, allegedly in violation of procurement laws. The ICPC also accused El-Rufai of conspiring with Bashir Ahmad El-Rufai, who is reportedly at large, to influence federal investigators abroad.
In the separate case before the Kaduna State High Court, El-Rufai and co-defendant Amadu Sule (Leda) face a 10-count charge bordering on fraud, conspiracy, abuse of office, and unlawful land dealings. Prosecutors allege that both men conspired between 2018 and 2020 to revoke land belonging to Mohammed Umar Karage and reallocate it to Sule.
The charges were filed under several laws, including the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000; the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006; and the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.
The ICPC emphasised that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty and assured that the case would be handled in line with due process and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Federal Government to release El-Rufai and other individuals he described as political detainees.
Following his return from Umrah, Atiku led a delegation to visit former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, expressing concerns over what he described as growing political repression.
He stated, “Following my return to the country on Saturday night from Umrah (lesser Hajj), I led a delegation on a solidarity visit to the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
‘’I wish to serve notice to the authorities detaining former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, @elrufai, and all other political detainees to release them henceforth.
“No one should be detained simply because they do not share the same ideology or political platform with the government of the day.”
Atiku also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of undermining democratic principles and using state institutions to suppress opposition voices.
“This is not governance. This is intimidation. This is a regime weaponising state power to silence dissent,” he declared.
He further warned that the country risks drifting toward authoritarianism, alleging that political figures are being pressured to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“This is political extortion at the highest level join us or be destroyed. That is the message being sent,” he said.
The arraignment of Nasir El-Rufai marks a significant development in Nigeria’s anti-corruption landscape, highlighting ongoing efforts by agencies like the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to prosecute high-profile cases. However, the strong political reactions particularly from Atiku Abubakar underscore the deepening tensions between governance, accountability, and allegations of political interference. As the legal process unfolds, the case is likely to remain a focal point in Nigeria’s broader conversation on justice, democracy, and the rule of law.
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