Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was back at the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday for his formal arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai, who had spent over a month in detention, was previously arraigned before Justice Rilwan Aikawa last week on a 10-count charge including alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering. The court had fixed March 31, 2026, to hear pending applications, including his bail request.
On March 27, the ICPC granted him temporary release on compassionate grounds to attend the funeral of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.
The funeral prayer, held on Sunday at the Central Mosque, Abuja, was attended by top Nigerian dignitaries, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
Video footage shared on X by Nigerian Affairs Journal showed El-Rufai arriving in a white pickup truck under heavy security. Dressed in a light-blue agbada with a matching cap and yellow-patterned inner garment, he walked steadily across the dusty court yard, flanked by security personnel and aides.
El-Rufai is to be arraigned alongside Amadu Sule, facing charges including abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
After the arraignment, the ICPC is expected to transfer him to the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where his bail application will be considered.
Throughout the proceedings, the former governor has maintained his innocence, consistently denying all allegations levelled against him.
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