ICPC revises charges against El-Rufai, court orders bail

The Independent Commission on Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses (ICPC) has filed new charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, listing nine charges that border on allegations of fraud, abuse of office and corruption.

The former governor’s legal advisor, Ukpong Abang, disclosed the development to journalists after a hearing at the Kaduna State High Court on Monday, revealing that the prosecution had revised its case.

According to him, one of the previously mentioned defendants has been dropped, leaving El-Rufai as the only defendant in the case.

Abang explained that during the trial which was resumed, the court accepted his client’s request and also heard the arguments for his bail application.

“This indictment is completely new to us. It was given to us this morning, when we were already in court. Therefore, the case cannot proceed to trial,” said Abang.

He noted that the defense needed time to properly examine the amended charges before responding.

“We will analyze the charges and state our position. For now, we can’t do anything until we review them thoroughly,” he said.

Following the submission, the court adjourned the hearing until Tuesday, April 14, to decide on the bail request.

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In the amended indictment marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/2026, the KPK accused El-Rufai of committing several violations while in office.

Among the allegations, the ICPC claimed in Count One that the former governor persuaded the Kaduna State Government in 2016 to provide N11 billion benefits to Indokaduna MRTS JV Nigeria Limited for a light rail project that was allegedly never implemented.

Counts Two and Three accused him of using his office to approve and receive severance benefits totaling about N289.8 million, exceeding the legally approved N20 million.

In Count Four, prosecutors accused El-Rufai of dishonestly wasting more than $1 million of a World Bank loan granted to Kaduna State, in violation of the loan agreement.

Count Five further alleges that he conspired with individuals still at large to offer inducements to federal investigators in an attempt to compromise the ongoing investigation.

Other allegations include alleged violations of procurement laws in the awarding of multi-billion naira CCTV contracts, giving undue benefits to employees, and unlawful allocation of land.

The ICPC had previously indicted El-Rufai before Judge Darius Khobo along with businessman Amadu Sule on similar charges of fraud, abuse of office and undue advantage.

The former governor remained in ICPC custody from February 19 to March 28, when he was granted temporary release on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s funeral.