Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday morning amid heavy security presence, as he faces arraignment over alleged corruption-related offences.
He arrived at the court premises around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside briefly before being escorted into the courtroom at about 9:34 a.m. Dressed in a light green babanriga and matching cap, El-Rufai was surrounded by a strong security detail.
Personnel from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services formed a tight security ring as he was led into the courtroom.
Heavy Security and Restricted Access
Security was significantly reinforced around the court complex, located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area. Armed operatives from multiple agencies—including the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, the Mobile Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps—were deployed from the early hours of the day.
Journalists who had gathered as early as 7:00 a.m. to report on the proceedings were denied entry into the courtroom by security operatives, effectively blocking media coverage of the arraignment.
Traffic in the surrounding area was also affected, with movement restricted and vehicles diverted into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, causing congestion.
Charges Filed Against El-Rufai
The arraignment follows an earlier announcement by the ICPC confirming that El-Rufai would face trial alongside one Joel Adoga in a case filed before the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
According to the commission, the charges include alleged unlawful conversion and possession of public assets, as well as money laundering offences.
In addition, a separate case has been filed at a Kaduna State High Court involving El-Rufai and another individual, Amadu Sule. That case includes allegations such as abuse of office, fraud, attempted fraud, and granting undue advantage.
The ICPC disclosed that both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, and confirmed that the former governor had been formally served in line with legal procedures.
Background to the Case
The court appearance comes after weeks of controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s detention. He was initially arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in February, granted bail shortly after, and later re-arrested by the ICPC.
His continued detention sparked criticism from several groups, including the African Democratic Congress and the Muslim Rights Concern, both of which questioned the legality of holding him without formal charges. Members of his family had also raised concerns about alleged violations of his rights.
The arraignment is expected to mark the beginning of formal legal proceedings, as authorities move forward with prosecution in line with due process.