The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai before a Federal High Court in Kaduna over allegations of money laundering.
El-Rufai arrived at the court on Tuesday morning under tight security and was brought into the courtroom around 9:34 a.m. for the proceedings.
According to the charges filed by the ICPC, the former governor is accused of unlawfully receiving about N579 million and $320,800 through transactions linked to alleged illicit funds.
Prosecutors claim he received severance payments far above what he was legally entitled to after leaving office. The charge sheet states that El-Rufai allegedly collected N289.8 million on two separate occasions, in September 2020 and January 2023, bringing the total to roughly N579 million, compared to the approved entitlement of about N20 million.
Part of the charge reads that he “directly took possession” of funds that exceeded his legitimate allowance and “reasonably ought to have known” were proceeds of unlawful activity.
The case also includes allegations involving foreign currency transactions. Prosecutors say multiple inflows were made into his domiciliary account from different individuals, raising concerns about the source of the funds and possible attempts to conceal them.
The charges are filed under provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, with the ICPC accusing him of abuse of office, unlawful enrichment, and conspiracy.
The arraignment is still ongoing, and further details are expected as the court proceedings continue.
