Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday morning arraigned at the Federal High Court in Kaduna under heavy security presence, with journalists denied access to the courtroom.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at approximately 9:34 a.m.
Dressed in a light green babanriga and matching cap, the former governor 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 as he was led into the court.
Despite arriving as early as 7:00 a.m., journalists were barred from covering the proceedings by DSS operatives, raising concerns over restricted media access.
Security had been significantly reinforced around the court complex, located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy premises, with heavily armed personnel deployed from the early hours. The security team included operatives from the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Vehicular movement in the area was also restricted, forcing traffic into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, leading to congestion and delays for commuters.
The arraignment follows an earlier announcement by the ICPC confirming that El-Rufai would face prosecution alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
According to the anti-corruption agency, the charges include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said, “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering.”
The commission further disclosed that a separate charge had been filed against El-Rufai and another individual, Amadu Sule, before a Kaduna State High Court. The state-level charges include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
According to the ICPC, both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, with the date for arraignment in the state court to be announced later.
The agency maintained that El-Rufai had been duly served and reiterated 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 earlier detention without charges as unconstitutional.
Similarly, the Muslim Rights Concern and members of El-Rufai’s family had raised concerns over alleged violations of his rights during his detention.
El-Rufai was initially arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC, where he remained in custody pending Tuesday’s arraignment.
