El-Rufai Arraigned in Kaduna Under Tight Security Over Alleged Corruption Charges

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Kaduna amid heavy security presence over alleged corruption-related offences.

The former governor 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 and matching cap, El-Rufai was flanked by heavily armed operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), who maintained a tight security cordon as he was led inside.

Despite the high-profile nature of the case, journalists were denied access to the courtroom. Reporters who arrived as early as 7:00 a.m. were barred entry by DSS operatives, raising concerns about transparency in the proceedings.

Security was significantly heightened around the court परिसर, located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area, with personnel drawn from the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed from the early hours.

In a statement, ICPC spokesperson John Odey confirmed that El-Rufai is being arraigned alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.

“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… The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering,” the statement read.

The commission also disclosed that a separate case has been filed against El-Rufai and another individual, Amadu Sule, before a Kaduna State High Court. The charges in that case 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, while a date for the state court arraignment is yet to be fixed.

The arraignment follows mounting pressure from political groups and civil society organisations, including the African Democratic Congress, which had earlier criticised El-Rufai’s prolonged detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.

El-Rufai was initially arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC, where he remained in custody until Tuesday’s court appearance.

His continued detention had also drawn criticism from rights groups and family members, who alleged violations of his fundamental human rights.