Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday morning brought before the Federal High Court under tight security for his arraignment over alleged corruption-related offences, as journalists were denied access to the courtroom.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle but remained inside for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at approximately 9:34 a.m.
Dressed in a light green babanriga with a matching cap, the former governor was heavily guarded by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), who formed a protective cordon as he was led into the courtroom.
Journalists, who had arrived as early as 7:00 a.m. to cover the proceedings were barred from entering the courtroom by DSS operatives, raising concerns about transparency in the high-profile case.
Security had earlier been heightened around the court complex, located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area, with heavily armed personnel deployed from multiple agencies. These included the Nigeria Police Force, the Mobile Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Vehicular movement around the area was significantly 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 ICPC that El-Rufai would be arraigned before the Federal High Court on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
In a statement issued by its head of media and public communications, John Odey, the Commission 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 anti-corruption agency further disclosed that a separate charge, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been filed against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.
“Similarly, another charge against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division. The charges range from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage, among others,” the statement added.
According to the Commission, both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, noting that the date for arraignment in the state court would be communicated in due course. It also maintained that El-Rufai had been duly served, reaffirming its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
The arraignment follows growing pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which had demanded either his release or immediate arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.
Similarly, the Muslim Rights Concern criticised his prolonged detention, while members of his family raised concerns over alleged rights violations.
LEADERSHIP reports that El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail on February 18, and later re-arrested by the ICPC. He has remained in custody pending Tuesday’s arraignment.
Credit: Leadership