Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna under heavy security for his arraignment over alleged corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at about 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside for more than 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at approximately 9:34 a.m.
Dressed in a light green babanriga and matching cap, the former governor was surrounded by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), who formed a security ring as he was led into the courtroom.
However, journalists who had gathered at the venue as early as 7:00 a.m. to cover the proceedings were prevented from entering the courtroom by DSS operatives.
Security had earlier been intensified around the Federal High Court complex, located within the premises of the old Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.
Armed personnel drawn from the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed to strategic locations around the court.
Vehicular movement in the area was also restricted, forcing motorists into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, which caused traffic congestion during the morning rush hour.
The arraignment followed an earlier announcement by the ICPC that the former governor would face charges before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
In a statement issued by the commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the ICPC said El-Rufai would be arraigned alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
According to the commission, the charges 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 anti-graft agency also disclosed that another case had been filed against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.
The case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, contains charges bordering on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
The commission stated that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that the date for arraignment in the state court would be announced later.
The ICPC maintained that the former governor had been duly served with the charges, stressing its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
El-Rufai’s arraignment follows increasing pressure from political and civil society groups over his continued detention.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) had earlier demanded either his release or formal arraignment, describing his prolonged detention without charges as unconstitutional.
Similarly, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) criticised the situation, while members of his family also raised concerns over alleged violations of his fundamental rights.
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, where he remained in custody pending his arraignment.
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