The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) today Tuesday, brought former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on a series of corruption-related charges.
El-Rufai, who has been in ICPC custody since mid-February following his transfer from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), faces allegations spanning abuse of office, money laundering, diversion of public funds, irregular contract awards, land fraud, and attempts to obstruct justice.
He is being arraigned alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026. A separate charge (KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26) involving El-Rufai and Amadu Sule (also referred to as Ahmadu Sule or LEDA) has been filed at the Kaduna State High Court, with charges including abuse of office, fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
According to an alleged outline of the 10-count charges in connection with the case, the ICPC accuses El-Rufai of the following:
1. Excessive Severance Payment (Abuse of Office): Allegedly approving and receiving N289.8 million as severance benefits — far exceeding his lawful entitlement of approximately N20 million.
2. Money Laundering: Receiving funds he was not entitled to, including suspicious financial inflows linked to unlawful sources.
3. Receipt of Foreign Currency from Questionable Sources: Receiving foreign currency payments traced to individuals or entities connected to illicit activities.
4. Diversion of World Bank Funds (Criminal Breach of Trust): Diverting and misusing more than $1 million from a World Bank loan contrary to agreed terms.
5. Irregular Award of N11 Billion Light Rail Contract: Approving funds for a light rail project awarded to Indokaduna MRTS JV Nigeria Ltd, a company allegedly not properly registered, for a project that was never executed.
6. Procurement Breach — CCTV Contract (N4.61 Billion): Awarding a CCTV contract to Singularity Network Security Ltd in violation of Kaduna State procurement laws.
7. Undue Advantage in $22.475 Million Contract: Using his office to confer improper benefits on the same company (Singularity) through another contract valued at $22.475 million.
8. Land Fraud and False Representation: Conspiring with associate Ahmadu Sule and companies to submit false information to acquire land along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway.
9. Unlawful Revocation and Reallocation of Land: Revoking a valid Certificate of Occupancy belonging to Mohammed Umar Karage and reallocating the land to associates, amounting to abuse of office and breach of trust.
10. Attempt to Obstruct Justice (Conspiracy): Conspiring to offer financial inducements in Nigeria and abroad (including in Dubai and Cairo) to influence investigators probing the Singularity contracts.
The ICPC, through its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, confirmed that both sets of charges were filed on March 18, 2026, and that El-Rufai has been duly served with the processes. The commission described the allegations as involving conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering at the federal level.
This development comes after weeks of detention that drew criticism from some political figures and civil society groups.
El-Rufai’s legal team has previously pushed back against what they termed “leaks” and prolonged holding without formal charges.
The arraignment marks a step in the ICPC’s probe into alleged financial improprieties during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor. Proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kaduna are expected to commence this morning, with the court set to hear the charges and the former governor’s plea.
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