The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, on Tuesday, arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, under tight security.

The governor was brought to court to answer 10 counts of alleged corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office, marking the culmination of a high-profile investigation into his financial conduct while in office.

El-Rufai, dressed in a light green babanriga and a matching cap, arrived at the court premises at the old Nigerian Defence Academy around 9:00 am, escorted in a Hilux vehicle.

He remained inside for over 30 minutes before entering the courtroom at approximately 9:34 am, heavily guarded by operatives of the ICPC and the Department of State Services.

Journalists who had gathered since 7:00 am were barred from entering the courtroom, with vehicular movement around the court restricted.

The development forced motorists into a single lane along the Ungwan Sarki to Kawo axis.

Security personnel, including the Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed in full force.

Our correspondent reported that DSS operatives formed a protective cordon around El-Rufai throughout his brief movement within the court, while journalists were restricted to a distant viewing area.

Meanwhile, traffic disruptions caused by the security operation added to the tense atmosphere surrounding the arraignment.

The former governor was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC, remaining in custody till then.

In the 10-count charge sheet, El-Rufai is accused of unlawfully taking possession of large sums of money, both in naira and U.S. dollars, during and after his tenure as governor.

Counts One and Two allege that in September 2020 and January 2023, El-Rufai received N289,826,998.12 as severance allowance—far exceeding his legitimate entitlement of N20,013,245.00, or 300 per cent of his annual basic salary.

The ICPC claims he knowingly received the funds, which formed part of the proceeds of corruption, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Counts Three to Nine focus on alleged deposits into El-Rufai’s domiciliary account at Guaranty Trust Bank, totalling $797,900, from various individuals, including Joel Adoga, Peter Akagu Jones, Ajayi Ayodele, Umar Farouk, Umar Saleh, and Umar Farouk Saleh.

The ICPC alleged the former governor knew these funds originated from unlawful acts, including corruption and fraud.

Count Ten accuses El-Rufai and Joel Adoga of conspiring in July 2019 to disguise the origin of $10,000, also in violation of the Money Laundering Act.

The ICPC confirmed in a statement by its Head of Media, John Odey, that a separate charge marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26 has been filed against El-Rufai and Amadu Sule in the Kaduna State High Court.

The charges include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage. Both sets of charges were filed on March 18, 2026, with arraignment dates for the state case yet to be communicated.

The ICPC emphasised that El-Rufai had been duly served and all proceedings would follow due process and the rule of law.

El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, giving details of the proceedings on his official X handle, @MuyiwaAdekeye, stated that the former governor’s legal team reminded the court of a pending petition against the presiding judge, Justice R. M. Aikawa, before the National Judicial Council.

According to him, Justice Aikawa ruled that “he would at least conduct the arraignment of the two defendants, and hear the matter of his recusal if counsel would bring it by way of a formal written application.”

The court subsequently adjourned proceedings to March 31, 2026, for the hearing of bail and any other applications filed on behalf of El-Rufai and Adoga.

Adekeye further highlighted that on March 17, 2026, the Kaduna Division of the Court of Appeal set aside Justice Aikawa’s judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai in 2024 against the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

The appellate court upheld El-Rufai’s contention that he had been denied a fair hearing and ordered the Federal High Court to rehear the matter afresh.

This case had prompted El-Rufai’s first petition against Justice Aikawa, dated July 18, 2024, submitted by AU Mustapha (SAN), accusing the judge of gross bias, injustice, and denial of fair hearing, requesting reassignment of the case to another judge.

When the request was not granted, El-Rufai’s counsel pursued and succeeded in the appeal.

“The second petition against Justice Aikawa, dated 18 March 2025, was submitted by Malam Nasir El-Rufai to the Chief Justice of Nigeria in her capacity as Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

“In it, El-Rufai accused Justice Aikawa of bias, injustice, denial of fair hearing, and conduct unbecoming of a judicial officer,” Adekeye wrote.

He added that reminders were sent in November 2025 and March 2026, urging the Chief Justice to expedite the resolution of the petition and to direct the immediate transfer of relevant cases before the Kaduna Federal High Court to another judge “as a prudent interim measure to restore impartiality and safeguard judicial processes.”

El-Rufai’s legal team is expected to challenge the charges on procedural and substantive grounds, citing prior bail conditions and contesting the ICPC’s interpretation of financial transactions.

Meanwhile, the anti-graft agency insists it will prosecute without prejudice.

The PUNCH reports that the former governor’s N1bn fundamental rights enforcement suit against the ICPC and others was adjourned to Wednesday (today), March 25, 2026, for hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, is before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who fixed the date to allow parties to regularise their filings, including responses to counter-affidavits.

El-Rufai’s application challenges the legality of a February 19, 2026, search of his residence at Asokoro, Abuja, conducted by ICPC operatives alongside police officers.

The former governor contended that the search warrant and its execution violated his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

In the suit, El-Rufai is asking the court to declare the search unlawful and unconstitutional, nullify any evidence obtained from the operation, and restrain the ICPC and other agencies from using such materials in any investigation or prosecution.

He is also seeking an order for the return of all items allegedly seized during the raid and is demanding N1bn in damages, broken down into compensatory, exemplary, and aggravated claims.

However, the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force have opposed the suit, insisting that the search was carried out lawfully based on a valid warrant issued on February 18, 2026, following a petition against El-Rufai.

The agencies maintain that due process was followed and argue that the suit is an attempt to obstruct ongoing investigations. ICPC charges El-Rufai with N289m, $797,900 fraud in Kaduna court.