El-Rufai returns to court after mother’s burial

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, is currently at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where his bail application is expected to be heard.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned him before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.

The former governor was produced in court after more than a month in detention.

The court subsequently fixed March 31, 2026, to hear pending applications, including a bail request by the former governor.

But on March 27, 2026, the commission released El-Rufai on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai in Cairo, Egypt.

In a separate matter, the ICPC has also filed a case at the Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another defendant, Amadu Sule.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has instituted a three-count charge against the former governor at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The case centres on allegations of unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrimes Act.

His arraignment in the matter has been scheduled for April 23, 2026, following earlier delays due to his detention by the ICPC.

El-Rufai has, however, filed counter-suits challenging the actions of the authorities.

In one suit, he is seeking N1 billion in damages against the ICPC and other agencies over a February 19 raid on his Abuja residence, which he claims was unlawful.

He is also asking the court to declare the search warrant invalid and to restrain the use of any evidence obtained during the operation.

In a separate action against the DSS, he is seeking N2 billion in damages and has asked the court to dismiss the wiretapping charges, describing them as unconstitutional harassment.

The legal battles follow a series of events that began on February 16, 2026, when El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged N423 billion misappropriation.

He was granted administrative bail on February 18 but was immediately re-arrested by the ICPC.