ICPC to arraign El-Rufa’i over fraud, abuse of office charges

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, before both federal and state high courts over alleged financial crimes.

The Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Okor Odey, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, stating that El-Rufa’i and one Joel Adoga would be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24, 2026.

Odey stated that the suit, marked FHC/KD/73/2026, involves charges ranging from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering.

He added that the Commission had also filed a separate charge before a Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule of the Kaduna State Livestock Development Agency (KADLDA).

According to him, the state court case, with charge number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, borders on allegations of abuse of office, fraud and intent to commit fraud to confer undue advantage, among other offences.

Odey stated that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026.

He further stated that while the arraignment date for the Federal High Court had been fixed for March 24, the date for the State High Court proceedings would be communicated in due course as determined by the court.

Odey added that El-Rufa’i had been duly served with the charges.

He stated that the Commission remains committed to due process and the rule of law in the prosecution of the cases.