El-Rufai storms court amid tight security over alleged corruption charges By Lai Gidado
El-Rufai storms court amid tight security over alleged corruption charges
By Lai Gidado
Amid tight security and restricted access, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday appeared at the Federal High Court in Kaduna for arraignment over alleged corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai was conveyed 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 shielded 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.
Despite arriving early, journalists were denied access to the courtroom by DSS operatives, as security was significantly tightened around the court complex located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy.
Armed personnel drawn from multiple agencies were deployed from the early hours of the day.
The security detail 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 arraignment followed an earlier announcement by the ICPC that El-Rufai would be brought before the Federal High Court on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
In a statement by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said the former governor would be arraigned alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
According to the agency, the charges against the defendants include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
“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 statement read.
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.
It said the charges in the state case include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
“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 agency added.
The ICPC noted that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that the date for arraignment in the state court would be announced later.
It also maintained that El-Rufai had been duly served, 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 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.
El-Rufai was earlier 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.
