El-Rufai Arrives Kaduna Court Under Heavy Security as Journalists Are Barred

By Abah Margaret

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday appeared at the Federal High Court in Kaduna under tight 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 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, he was heavily guarded as operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) formed a protective cordon around him.

Journalists who arrived as early as 7:00 a.m. to cover the proceedings were denied access to the courtroom by DSS operatives.

Security was significantly heightened around the court premises, located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area, with heavily armed personnel deployed from the early hours of the day.

The security presence 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, leading to traffic disruptions.

The development followed an earlier announcement by the ICPC that it would arraign El-Rufai on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.

According to a statement by the commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the charges include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.

The commission 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.

The charges in the state case include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

ICPC stated that both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that the date for arraignment in the state court would be announced later. The agency maintained that El-Rufai had been duly served, reaffirming its commitment to due process and the rule of law.

The arraignment follows mounting pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which had called for either his release or formal arraignment, describing his prolonged detention without trial as unconstitutional.

Similarly, the Muslim Rights Concern criticised his continued detention, while members of his family raised concerns over alleged rights violations.

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. He has remained in custody pending his arraignment.