The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has officially arraigned the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna. El-Rufai, appearing alongside co-defendant Joel Adoga, faces a 10-count charge involving allegations of abuse of office, money laundering, and multi-million naira fraud.
Excessive Severance and Dollar Deposits
The prosecution, led by the ICPC, alleges that El-Rufai unlawfully enriched himself during his tenure as a public officer. According to the charge sheet marked FHC/KD/73/2026, the former governor purportedly received two separate payments of N289,826,998.12 as severance allowances in September 2020 and January 2023.
The Commission noted that these figures vastly exceed the N20,013,245.00 legally permitted by law, which constitutes 300 percent of his annual basic salary. Furthermore, the court heard that between 2016 and 2023, El-Rufai allegedly took control of significant foreign currency deposits totaling over $1o,000 through a domiciliary account, which the ICPC claims are proceeds of unlawful activities.
Allegations of Conspiracy
The second defendant, Joel Adoga, is accused of conspiring with the former governor to conceal the origins of these funds. Specifically, the ICPC highlighted a July 2019 transaction involving $10,000 deposited in Abuja, which investigators claim was intended to disguise the source of the money.
“The defendants conspired to disguise the origin of funds paid into the former governor’s account, knowing or reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity,” as posted on X.
Court Mandates Remand
Upon the reading of the charges, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts brought against them.
In his ruling, Honourable Justice A.I. Aikawa ordered that Nasir El-Rufai and Joel Adoga be remanded in ICPC custody. The Commission closed the day’s proceedings by reaffirming its stance on public accountability, urging Nigerians to support the ongoing fight against corruption.
The matter has been adjourned to March 31, 2026, for further hearing.
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