VIDEO: El-Rufai returns to Kaduna court following mother’s burial

Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor appeared at the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday for his formal arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai had spent over a month in detention and was previously arraigned last week before Justice Rilwan Aikawa on a 10-count charge that includes alleged conversion and possession of public property and money laundering. The court had scheduled March 31, 2026, to hear pending motions, including his bail application.

On March 27, the ICPC granted him temporary release on compassionate grounds to attend the funeral of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai.

The funeral prayer, held on Sunday at the Central Mosque, Abuja, was attended by prominent Nigerian figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

Footage posted on X by Nigerian Affairs Journal showed El-Rufai stepping out of a white pickup truck at the court under tight security. Wearing a light-blue agbada with matching cap and yellow-patterned inner garment, he walked steadily across the court courtyard, flanked by security personnel and aides.

El-Rufai is to be arraigned alongside Amadu Sule on charges including abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

Following this arraignment, the ICPC is expected to transfer him to the Federal High Court in Kaduna for consideration of his bail application.

The former governor has consistently denied all allegations brought against him, maintaining his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.

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