A former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, arrived at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday morning amid tight security for his arraignment over alleged corruption-related crimes.
El-Rufai was led into 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.
He was heavily guarded as operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services formed a protective cordon around him into the courtroom.
Journalists who came to the location as early as 7:00 a.m. to cover the proceedings were denied admission to the courtroom by DSS personnel.
Security had previously been increased around the courthouse, which was located at the old Nigerian Defence Academy, with heavily armed men deployed from the early hours of the day.
The security team included personnel from the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, the Mobile Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Vehicle travel in the area was restricted, confining motorists to a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, causing traffic delays.
The development comes after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission announced that El-Rufai would be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
According to a statement issued by the commission’s head of media and public communications, John Odey, El-Rufai will be arraigned with Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
The charges filed by the government include suspected 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 has filed a separate complaint against El-Rufai and Amadu Sule in Kaduna State High Court.
The charges include abuse of office, fraud, intent to conduct 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 filed both charges on March 18, 2026, and stated that the date for El-Rufai’s arraignment in the state court would be communicated later.
The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
Stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, demanded his release or arraignment, describing his continued detention as unjustified.
