The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced it will prosecute former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on charges of fraud, abuse of office, and money laundering in separate proceedings at both federal and state high courts.
According to a press release issued on Tuesday, the anti-corruption agency filed a suite of charges against El-Rufai and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The case, assigned suit number FHC/KD/73/2026, is scheduled for arraignment on March 24, 2026. The charges encompass the conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.
A separate indictment has also been filed at the Kaduna State High Court. In this instance, El-Rufai is charged alongside Amadu Sule, also known as LEDA. The suit, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, alleges abuse of office, fraud, and intent to confer undue advantage. The ICPC confirmed that both sets of charges were formally filed on March 18, 2026. While El-Rufai has been duly served with the state court papers, a specific arraignment date for that case remains pending.
El-Rufai, a prominent former two-term governor who served until 2023, now faces a coordinated legal process spanning Nigeria’s dual court system for alleged financial crimes committed during his tenure. The simultaneous filings underscore the ICPC’s strategy to pursue alleged misconduct through available judicial channels.
The Commission reiterated its procedural mandate in its statement, asserting, “The ICPC remains committed to upholding due process and the rule of law at all times.” This pledge aligns with its statutory duty to investigate and prosecute corrupt practices.
The upcoming federal arraignment sets a concrete timeline for the initial phase of the case. The outcome of these proceedings will be closely monitored as a test of Nigeria’s institutional framework for holding former high-ranking public officials accountable. The legal journey ahead will focus on the evidentiary substantiation of the specific allegations regarding public property and financial flows.
