The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, alongside one Joel Adoga, before Honourable Justice A.I. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Division, over alleged corruption-related offences.
The defendants were docked on a 10-count charge bordering on abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud.
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/KD/73/2026, the former governor is accused of unlawfully receiving multiple sums of money in naira and foreign currencies while serving as a public officer.
Specifically, the Commission alleged that El-Rufai, in September 2020 and January 2023, received the sum of N289,826,998.12 on each occasion as severance allowance, far exceeding the legally entitled sum of N20,013,245.00, being 300 percent of his annual basic salary.
The charge further revealed that between 2016 and 2023, the former governor allegedly took control of various sums in United States Dollars through his domiciliary account with Guaranty Trust Bank. These include $320,800 allegedly paid in tranches by Joel Adoga, as well as other deposits amounting to $155,800, $305,300, and several smaller sums from different individuals, all reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Joel Adoga was also accused of conspiring with the former governor in July 2019 to disguise the origin of $10,000 deposited into the said account.
One of the counts reads that both defendants, in July 2019 at Wuse, Abuja, allegedly conspired to disguise the origin of $10,000 paid into the former governor’s domiciliary account, knowing or reasonably ought to have known that the funds formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, contrary to and punishable under relevant provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
When the charges were read, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following their pleas, Justice Aikawa adjourned the matter to March 31, 2026, for further hearing and ordered that the defendants be remanded in ICPC custody pending the next adjourned date.
The Commission reiterates its commitment to ensuring accountability and upholding integrity in public office and urges members of the public to continue supporting the fight against corruption.
