By Nchetachi Chukwuajah, The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it will arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and others before federal and state high courts in Kaduna. As a result, ICPC arraign El-Rufai Adoga Kaduna is a major development attracting public attention.
The commission, in a statement by its Head, Media and Public Communications, John Okor Odey, on Monday, March 23, disclosed that El-Rufai and one Joel Adoga would be arraigned at the Federal High Court of Nigeria, in the Kaduna Judicial Division, on Tuesday, March 24. Notably, the ICPC arraign El-Rufai Adoga Kaduna matter involves multiple defendants.
It said the suit, with suit number FHC/KD/73/2026, has charges ranging from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering.
The ICPC added that it has also filed another case against the former governor and one Amadu Sule (LEDA) before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division, on charges bordering on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage, among others.
The commission stated that the date of arraignment for the case would be communicated at the appropriate time, as determined by the court.
The statement read, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i (M), and one Joel Adoga (M) at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, the 24th March 2026. In summary, the ICPC arraign El-Rufai Adoga Kaduna charges reflect the commission's anti-corruption mandate.”
“The suit with number FHC/KD/73/2026 has charges ranging from conversion of and possession of public property, to money laundering.
“Similarly, another charge, number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’I and one Amadu Sule (LEDA), has also been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division.
“The charges in the State High Court case range from abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to conferring undue advantage, among others.
“Both charges were filed by the ICPC on the 18th of March, 2026.
“The date of arraignment in the State High Court will be communicated at the appropriate time as determined by the Court.”
The anti-graft agency further stated that the former governor has been duly served and reiterated its commitment to fully adhering to due process and the rule of law at all times.
“The ICPC wishes to inform the public that Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’I has been duly served.
“The ICPC restates its commitment to adhering fully to due process and the rule of law at all times,” the commission added.
The ICPC is investigating multiple corruption allegations against El-Rufai, including the whereabouts of €1.4 million, suspicious payments totalling over N2.1 billion, and transfers to undisclosed accounts amounting to more than N428 million. Therefore, ICPC arraign El-Rufai Adoga Kaduna is expected to shed light on these issues.
The former governor’s family earlier decried that the ICPC failed to charge him and had not secured any fresh detention order, describing his detention as “unlawful, brazen self-help.”
In a pre-action notice on March 4, El-Rufai’s legal team had accused the ICPC of contempt of court, malicious prosecution, defamation, abuse of office, forgery, and unlawful detention.
The legal team also separately served notice of a N15.6 billion damages claim on the ICPC, its chairman, and other officials, describing a press statement issued by the commission on March 2 as defamatory and misleading.
Recall that the ICPC had told an FCT High Court that it recovered electronic equipment allegedly capable of intercepting telephone conversations during a search of El-Rufai’s Abuja residence.
The claim was contained in a counter-affidavit filed by the agency opposing a fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by the ex-governor.
The anti-graft agency said its operatives recovered items it described as sensitive security materials during the operation on February 19, including investor account statements, asset declaration forms, land documents, several electronic devices, and records of domestic and foreign loans approved by the Kaduna State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023.
