Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appeared at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday morning for his arraignment on corruption-related charges, under heavy security.
El-Rufai arrived at the court around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle, wearing a light green babanriga and matching cap. He remained in the vehicle for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at 9:34 a.m., flanked by officers from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Journalists who had gathered as early as 7:00 a.m. were denied access to the courtroom. Security was significantly heightened around the old Nigerian Defence Academy, with DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed. Traffic was restricted, causing congestion from Ungwan Sarki through Kawo.
According to ICPC, El-Rufai and Joel Adoga face charges in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026, including alleged conversion and possession of public property and money laundering. A separate state case (KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26) has been filed against El-Rufai and Amadu Sule, involving abuse of office, fraud, and conferring undue advantage. Arraignment for the state charges will be scheduled later.
The arraignment follows public pressure from stakeholders such as the African Democratic Congress and Muslim Rights Concern, who criticized his prolonged detention without formal charges. El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, granted bail on February 18, and later re-arrested by the ICPC, remaining in custody pending his court appearance.
