El-Rufai to remain in detention until  March 31 following arraignment

Crime Diary, Politics

KADUNA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 24, 2026 — Former Kaduna State Governor and prominent figure of the All Democratic Congress (ADC), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, was today arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna under heavy security presence.

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory faces charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging fraud and money laundering. The proceedings attracted significant public attention, with journalists barred from the courtroom and security operatives maintaining strict control around the premises.

At the end of the session, the court ordered El-Rufai remanded in custody and adjourned his bail application to March 31.

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Meanwhile, Newpost Africa reported yesterday that Atiku Abubakar, a presidential aspirant and ADC chieftain, alleged that political and ideological differences were behind El-Rufai’s detention. He described the development as persecution and called for the former governor’s immediate release.

El-Rufai has faced multiple detentions by both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the ICPC since his return from Egypt. His arrest followed claims he made during a television interview, alleging that he had wiretapped the phone line of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.