By Deborah Nnamdi
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, arrived at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday morning under heavy security for his arraignment over alleged corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai was brought to the court premises at about 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside for more than 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at approximately 9:34 a.m. Dressed in a light green babanriga with a matching cap, he was flanked by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services, who formed a protective cordon around him.
Journalists who arrived at the venue as early as 7:00 a.m. to cover the proceedings were denied access to the courtroom by DSS operatives.
Security was intensified around the court complex, located at the old Nigerian Defence Academy site, with heavily armed personnel deployed from the early hours. The security team included operatives of the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, the Mobile Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Vehicular movement in the area was restricted, forcing motorists into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, resulting in traffic disruptions.
The development followed an earlier announcement by the anti-graft agency that it would arraign El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
In a statement by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission disclosed that El-Rufai would be arraigned alongside Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026. The charges, according to the agency, include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
The commission further revealed that a separate charge, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been filed against El-Rufai and Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court. The charges in the state case reportedly include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
According to the ICPC, both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, and El-Rufai had been duly served. The agency said the date for arraignment in the state court would be communicated later, reaffirming its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
The arraignment comes amid mounting pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which had called for either his release or formal arraignment, describing his continued detention without charges as unconstitutional. The Muslim Rights Concern had also criticised his prolonged detention, while members of his family raised concerns over alleged rights violations.
El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail on February 18, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC. He had remained in custody pending his arraignment.
