ICPC Files Fresh Nine-count Charge against El-Rufai, Court to Rule on Bail

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, before the Kaduna State High Court on a fresh nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.

The case was heard before Justice Darius Khobo after prosecutors amended the original charge. According to the prosecution, the earlier joint case involving el-Rufai and co-defendant Amadu Sule was separated because Sule was absent from court due to a reported medical condition.

The court granted the request, allowing proceedings to continue against el-Rufai alone.

He was then docked on nine amended counts said to involve breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, the Advance Fee Fraud Act, Kaduna State Penal Code and the state’s Public Procurement Law.

When the charges were read, el-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following his plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and put measures in place to ensure the defendant’s attendance throughout the proceedings.

Defence counsel Ubong Akpan urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, citing a pending application before the court.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the judge adjourned the matter until today for ruling on the bail application.

Speaking after the session, Akpan said the defence needed time to examine the amended charges.

“The charges are new,” he said, adding that they required proper review before the substantive hearing could proceed.

There was heavy security presence around the Kaduna State High Court during the proceedings, with operatives stationed at strategic points within and around the premises.

El-Rufai is also facing a separate 10-count charge before the Federal High Court in Kaduna over alleged abuse of office, money laundering and fraud involving N579.6 million and $1.1 million.