Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, appeared before the Federal High Court in Kaduna for the hearing of his bail application.
His court appearance followed a temporary release granted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) on Friday, March 27, 2026, to enable him attend the burial of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who died the same day in Cairo, Egypt, after a brief illness.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since mid-February 2026 over alleged financial improprieties.
The anti-corruption agency subsequently filed a 10-count charge against him at the Kaduna division of the court, bordering on money laundering and the alleged unlawful receipt of about N579 million in severance benefits.
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He was arraigned on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The court adjourned ruling on his bail application to Tuesday, March 31, 2026, and ordered that he remain in custody pending the hearing.
His temporary release for the burial drew scrutiny within legal circles over due process, given his remand status.
As of the time of filing this report, proceedings were ongoing and the court had yet to rule on the bail application.