Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appeared at the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday for his formal arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai, who had spent over a month in detention, was previously arraigned before Justice Rilwan Aikawa last week on a 10-count charge involving alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
Following that arraignment, the court fixed March 31, 2026, to hear pending applications, including his bail request.
On March 27, the ICPC granted El-Rufai temporary release on compassionate grounds to attend the funeral of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.
The funeral prayer, held on Sunday at the Central Mosque, Abuja, was attended by top Nigerian Dignitaries 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.
Video footage posted on X by Nigerian Affairs Journal captured El-Rufai stepping out of a white pickup truck at the court premises under heavy security.
Dressed in a flowing light-blue agbada with a matching cap and yellow-patterned inner garment, he walked steadily across the dusty courtyard, flanked by uniformed security operatives and aides.
El-Rufai is to be arraigned alongside Amadu Sule at the State High Court on charges including abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
Following the arraignment, the ICPC is expected to move him to the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where his bail application will be considered.
The former governor has consistently denied all allegations levelled against him.