BREAKING: Heavy security as El-Rufai appears in Kaduna Court, Journalists denied access

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appeared at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday morning for arraignment over alleged corruption offences.

El-Rufai arrived around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and waited for more than 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at 9:34 a.m.

He was dressed in a light green babanriga and matching cap, flanked by a strong security detail from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Journalists who gathered at the court from 7:00 a.m. were prevented from entering the courtroom by DSS operatives, limiting media coverage of the proceedings.

Security had earlier been intensified around the court premises located at the old Nigerian Defence Academy, with heavily armed personnel deployed from the early hours of the day.

The security team comprised 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 Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that it would arraign El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

In a statement by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission disclosed that El-Rufai would be arraigned alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.

According to the agency, 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 commission also 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 stated that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that the date for arraignment in the state court would be communicated later. It also 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 demanded either his release or arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.

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

Very Nigerian had earlier reported that El-Rufai was initially 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 since remained in custody pending his arraignment.

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