ICPC arraigns El-Rufai on nine-count Fraud, money laundering charges

By Johnson Arua

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court 5 over an alleged nine-count charge of advance fee fraud and money laundering.

The Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, said the arraignment on Monday followed an amendment to the initial charge by the prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha.

The revised filing separated El-Rufai’s case from that of his co-defendant, Amadu Sule, who was absent in court due to reported health challenges.

The court granted the prosecution’s request to amend the charge, paving the way for El-Rufai to be arraigned independently.

The former governor was subsequently docked on nine amended counts, bordering on alleged violations of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000; the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006; the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017; and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2017.

El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea, the prosecution urged the court to set a date for trial and ensure the defendant’s presence throughout the proceedings.

In response, the defence informed the court of a pending application and sought bail on liberal terms.

After hearing both sides, Justice Khobo adjourned the matter to April 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and ordered that El-Rufai be remanded in ICPC custody pending the decision.