El-Rufai Arraigned on Corruption Charges in Kaduna

On March 24, 2026, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The charges against him include alleged corruption-related offenses such as conversion and possession of public property and money laundering.

El-Rufai was arraigned alongside Joel Adoga under suit number FHC/KD/73/2026. The ICPC's media head, John Odei, disclosed that separate charges were also filed against El-Rufai in the Kaduna State High Court, including abuse of office and fraud intended to confer undue advantage.

The arraignment occurred amid heightened security measures, with personnel from various agencies deployed to manage the situation. This legal action follows mounting pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which demanded his immediate release, and concerns raised by family members regarding his prolonged detention without formal charges.

El-Rufai was initially detained on February 16, 2026, and granted bail on February 18 before being re-arrested by the ICPC.