El-Rufai returns to court for trial after mother’s burial

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appeared before 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 been in detention for more than a month, was initially arraigned last week by Justice Rilwan Aikawa on a 10-count charge. The charges include alleged misappropriation and possession of public funds, as well as money laundering.

Following that initial arraignment, the court scheduled March 31, 2026, to hear pending motions, including his bail application.

On March 27, the ICPC had allowed El-Rufai temporary release on compassionate grounds so he could travel to Cairo, Egypt, to attend the funeral of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai.

The funeral prayer, which took place on Sunday at the Central Mosque in Abuja, drew prominent Nigerian figures such as 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.

Footage shared on X by Nigerian Affairs Journal showed El-Rufai arriving at the court in a white pickup truck under tight security.

He was seen wearing a flowing light-blue agbada with a matching cap and a yellow-patterned inner garment, walking steadily across the courtyard accompanied by security personnel and aides.

El-Rufai is expected to be arraigned alongside Amadu Sule at the State High Court on charges that include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and granting undue advantage.

After this arraignment, the ICPC plans to transfer him to the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where his bail application will be reviewed.

The former governor has consistently denied all the allegations against him.