Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of alleged money laundering, property conversion, and related offenses filed by the ICPC.

He arrived under heavy security, with his lawyer arguing for bail on constitutional grounds while prosecutors opposed it due to the charges’ severity; the court adjourned the hearing to March 31.

Supporters gathered in large numbers near Murtala Mohammed Square, decrying the case as political, while El-Rufai denies wrongdoing and points to targeting over his 2027 ambitions.

 A separate state case on abuse of office and fraud also awaits scheduling.