ICPC On El-Rufai Trial: Courts Adjourn Bail Ruling, Grant Conditional Bail In Parallel Proceedings

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) wishes to update the public on developments in the ongoing trial of former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in separate proceedings before the Kaduna State High Court and the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

The cases stem from a protracted investigation by the Commission into the defendant’s tenure as Governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, bordering on allegations of abuse of office, fraud, and money laundering.

Mallam El-Rufai was arrested by the Commission on or about 18th February 2026.

Following the conclusion of investigations, the Commission filed a 10-count charge against Mallam El-Rufai and Mr. Joel Adoga before Honourable Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna.

The charges relate to alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering offences contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and other relevant laws.

Specifically, the prosecution alleges, among others, that the defendant received the sum of ₦289,826,998.12 as severance allowance—significantly exceeding his lawful entitlement of ₦20,013,245—between 2020 and 2023.

He is also alleged to have received the sum of $797,900, deposited into his domiciliary account with Guaranty Trust Bank, from various individuals, with knowledge that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The Commission further alleges that the defendant conspired with the second defendant, Mr. Joel Adoga, to disguise the origin of $10,000 in July 2019.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Similarly, the Commission arraigned Mallam El-Rufai before the Kaduna State High Court on an amended 9-count charge on 13th April 2026. The charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferment of undue advantage, contrary to the provisions of the ICPC Act, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Kaduna State Penal Code, and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law.

On Tuesday at the Kaduna State High Court, the presiding judge, Honourable Justice Darius Khobo, informed the court that the ruling on the defendant’s bail application was not ready, citing the inability to conclude the writing of the decision. The matter was consequently adjourned to Tuesday, 21st April 2026, for the delivery of the ruling.

The court further ordered that the defendant remain in the custody of the Commission pending the determination of the bail application.

In a related development, the Federal High Court, Kaduna has granted bail to Mallam El-Rufai in the sum of ₦200 million and two sureties in like sum.

The court directed that one of the sureties must be a resident in Kaduna State with a property worth 200 million and a verified CofO while the second surety must be a well-respected elder, certified by the elders council.

It was further ruled that the defendant must deposit his international passport to the Registrar of the court and also sign an undertaking not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

Other conditions include reporting to the Commission’s headquarters every first Monday of the month and also being restricted to live in a specific residence of his. The judge held that if Malam El-Rufai desires to change his residence, a 72-hour notice should be given to the court prior to any change of residence.

The court further ordered that the first defendant remain in the custody of the Commission pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.

El-Rufai

The trial judge further adopted the administrative bail granted to the second defendant, Mr. Joel Adoga.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to due process and the rule of law and assures the public that the prosecution of the case is being conducted diligently and in accordance with established legal procedures.

The ICPC will continue to keep the public informed of significant developments as proceedings progress in both courts.

J. Okor Odey
Head, Media & Public Communications, ICPC.

EFCC Presents Second Witness Against Vessel, Captain, Others In Alleged Theft Of 25,354,000L Of PMS

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, presented its second prosecution witness, PW2, in the ongoing trial of a vessel, MT Ostria, and three others over an alleged theft of 25,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Retail Limited, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The defendants, MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin and Vincent Wayas, were arraigned by the EFCC on October 29, 2025, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, an offence contrary to Sections 411 and 280, and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the witness, who is a representative of NNPC, testified on the transactions involving MT Ostria and the events that led to the EFCC’s investigation.

Led in evidence by the prosecution witness, Bilikisu Buhari, the PW2 told the court that operational concerns arose when D. Torros Shipping Limited, the receiving terminal, called for a suspension of discharge activities.

“From our operational perspective, we were worried about any delay that could cause additional cost on the operation. We were informed by Torros that the suspension was due to variations in quantities between the ship’s discharge figure and Torros’ received figure,” he said.

He also stated that upon raising the alarm, Torros notified the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, of the discrepancy.

According to him, the NMDPRA escalated the matter to relevant government agencies, including the Department of State Services, DSS.

The witness, who said Torros also reported the case to the EFCC, further stated that “ I was invited by the EFCC. I was interviewed and I wrote a statement regarding the transaction at the time. We also submitted some documents to the EFCC with respect to the operation,”.

He confirmed that the documents were generated using his company’s laptop and printer, which were in good condition at the time.

The prosecution counsel, Buhari , tendered the documents, and they were admitted in evidence by the court.

Explaining the relationship between the NNPC subsidiaries, the witness said there was an internal framework governing transactions among NNPC Retail, NNPC Trading, and NNPC Shipping.

Referring to Exhibit P4, the Credit Sales Invoice issued to NNPC Retail Limited, he identified NNPC Retail as “the ultimate owner of the petroleum products allegedly stolen.”

The document, he noted, confirmed receipt and was signed by NNPC Trading for the sale of about 20.3 million litres of PMS through MT Ostria, which was the vessel nominated by NNPC Retail from the mother vessel, MT Northern Light.

“This document was issued as part of the NNPC Retail and Trading agreement framework, which requires that requests for product or cargo be made through a company portal where sales quotations are generated.

EFCC

“This Credit Sales Invoice carries two sales quotation numbers also called PFI (Pro Forma Invoice) numbers: 20001584 and 20001601. These numbers are to be indicated on the commercial documents relating to this operation.”

He added that the documents established the commercial chain of the transaction and showed NNPC Retail Limited as the buyer of the cargo, in line with the companies’ internal framework.

Justice Dada adjourned the matter till Wednesday, April 15, 2026 for continuation of cross- examination.

ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai On A Nine-Count Charge, Separates Trial From Co-Defendant

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, before Honourable Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court 5 on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.

The arraignment, which took place on Monday, followed the amendment of the original charge by the Commission’s prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, who separated the joint charge earlier filed against Mallam El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Amadu Sule.

The amendment became necessary due to the continued absence of the second defendant, Amadu Sule, who was reported to be unavailable in court on account of a medical condition.

Following the development, the court granted the application for amendment, allowing the prosecution to proceed with the arraignment of Mallam El-Rufai independent of the second defendant.

Mallam El-Rufai was subsequently arraigned on nine amended charges which allege various infractions under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017, and Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2017.

Upon the reading of the charges, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State pleaded not guilty to all nine charges.

Counsel to the prosecution thereafter urged the court to fix a date for trial and to make appropriate orders to ensure the defendant’s attendance throughout the proceedings.

The defence counsel, in response, informed the court of a pending application and prayed for bail on liberal terms.

El-Rufai

After listening to both parties, the court adjourned for ruling on the bail application to Tuesday, 14th of April, 2026, and further ruled that Mallam El-Rufai should remain in the custody of the ICPC.

J. Okor Odey
Head, Media & Public Communications, ICPC.