The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed an amended nine-count charge against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, bordering on alleged fraud, abuse of office, and corruption.
Counsel to the former governor, Ukpong Abang, disclosed to journalists after proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court on Monday that the prosecution had dropped one of the earlier defendants, leaving El-Rufai as the sole accused.
The court took the defendant’s plea and heard his bail application, but the matter could not proceed further as the defence said it had just been served with the amended charges.
“The charges are entirely new to us. They were given to us this morning while we were already in court. That is why the matter could not proceed to a hearing,” Abang said.
He added that the defence would study the charges before taking further legal steps. The court subsequently adjourned the case to April 14 for a ruling on the bail application.
In the charge marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/2026, the anti-corruption agency alleged that El-Rufai committed multiple offences during his tenure, including an alleged N11 billion rail project fraud and a $1 million loan breach.
The ICPC accused the former governor of inducing the Kaduna State Government in 2016 to confer a benefit of N11 billion on Indokaduna MRTS JV Nigeria Limited for a light rail project allegedly not executed.
He is also alleged to have approved and received severance benefits amounting to about N289.8 million, exceeding the legally approved N20 million.
In another count, El-Rufai is accused of unlawfully disposing of over $1 million from a World Bank loan to the state in violation of the loan agreement.
The commission further alleged that he conspired with others still at large to offer inducements to federal investigators to compromise an ongoing probe, violated procurement laws in a multi-billion-naira CCTV contract, conferred undue advantage on associates, and carried out unlawful land allocations.
The ICPC had earlier arraigned El-Rufai alongside businessman Amadu Sule before Justice Darius Khobo on similar allegations.
The former governor was held in ICPC custody from February 19 until March 28, when he was released on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s burial.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate