ICPC To Arraign Nasir El‑Rufai Over Alleged Multi‑Billion‑Naira Fraud Tuesday

ICPC to Arraign Nasir El‑Rufai Over Alleged Multi‑Billion‑Naira Fraud Tuesday The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that it will arraign former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai before a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, on charges related to alleged multi‑billion‑naira fraud and other offences. According to the anti‑graft agency, El‑Rufai is to be docked alongside an associate in Suit No: FHC/KD/73/2026, on allegations involving fraud, abuse of office, money laundering and related offences. A separate case is also pending against him and another defendant at the Kaduna State High Court, where charges include abuse of office and unlawful land dealings, though a date for that hearing has not yet been fixed. The ICPC’s federal charges centre on alleged financial improprieties during El‑Rufai’s tenure as governor, including but not limited to:

• Fraudulently inducing the Kaduna State government to pay ₦11 billion to an unregistered company for a light rail project that was reportedly never executed.
• Approving and receiving excessive severance payments far above lawful entitlements.
• Misuse of part of a World Bank loan amounting to roughly $1,085,066.38, contrary to the terms of the agreement.
• Allegedly awarding procurement contracts worth billions in violation of procurement laws.
• Alleged conspiracy with associates to improperly influence official investigations.

ICPC spokesperson John Okor Odey reiterated that the former governor has been formally served with charges and stressed that the prosecution will adhere strictly to due process and legal norms, noting that El‑Rufai is presumed innocent until proven guilty. In response to his continued detention, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly called on the Federal Government to release El‑Rufai and other political detainees, arguing that no one should be detained “simply because they share different political views”. Abubakar, a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warned of what he described as a “creeping authoritarianism” in Nigeria, accusing the current administration of using state institutions to stifle opposition voices. Atiku, who led a solidarity delegation to former Attorney‑General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, also alleged that security agencies had been used to intimidate political opponents and warned that Nigeria risked sliding into a one‑party state if dissent is criminalised. El‑Rufai is expected to appear before the Kaduna Federal High Court today to face the federal charges. Parallel proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court remain in preparatory stages, with charges yet to be formally heard. The arraignment follows an extended legal saga that has seen El‑Rufai detained by anti‑graft agencies, including periods under interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) earlier this year.