El-Rufai arraigned by ICPC on nine-count charge of alleged fraud and money laundering...

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before the Kaduna State High Court on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.

CBI News reports that El-Rufai was brought before Justice Darius Khobo after the prosecution amended the initial charge.

The prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, informed the court that the earlier joint charge against El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Amadu Sule, had been separated due to Sule’s absence on medical grounds.

The court granted the application, allowing the trial to proceed against El-Rufai alone.

El-Rufai was subsequently docked on nine amended counts alleging violations of multiple laws, including the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, as well as the Kaduna State Penal Code and Public Procurement Law.

When the charges were read, the former governor pleaded not guilty to all nine counts.

Following his plea, the prosecution urged the court to set a trial date and ensure measures were in place to secure the defendant’s attendance throughout the proceedings.

In response, defence counsel, Ubong Akpan (SAN), told the court that a bail application had already been filed and requested that his client be granted bail on liberal terms.

After listening to both sides, the court adjourned the matter to rule on the bail application.

Speaking to journalists after the session, Akpan said the proceedings were largely centered on the amended charges, noting that the defence would need time to study them.

“The charges are new and require proper examination,” he said, adding that the bail application had already been moved before the court.