The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday arraigned former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on 10 counts of money laundering.
Mr El-Rufai was arraigned alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga. They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In the charges filed on March 18, the commission accused El-Rufai of receiving inflated severance payments totalling N579.7 million.
It said he took N289.8 million in September 2020 after completing his first term in May 2019 and another N289.8 million in January 2023 before the end of his second term in May 2023.
According to the commission, he was entitled to about N20 million per term, bringing the total he should have received for both terms to about N40 million.
ICPC alleged that the payments formed part of proceeds of unlawful acts.
In eight other counts, the commission accused El-Rufai of receiving deposits totalling $817,900 into his domiciliary account with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).
It said the funds were paid in tranches ranging from $4,000 to $320,800 between 2016 and March 2023 while he was serving as governor.
The commission alleged that the deposits were made by different individuals and were linked to proceeds of corruption and fraud.
Adoga was listed as a defendant in one of the counts and was also named among persons who paid money into the account.
The arraignment took place under heavy security at the court premises.
Security operatives restricted access to the courtroom during the proceedings.
El-Rufai arrived at the court in the morning and was later escorted into the courtroom by ICPC officials.
The case continues.
