Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, arrived at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday morning under heavy security for his arraignment over alleged corruption-related offences.
He was brought to 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 about 9:34 a.m.
Dressed in a light green babanriga with a matching cap, El-Rufai was surrounded by security operatives as personnel 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 arrived at the venue as early as 7:00 a.m. to cover the proceedings were denied access to the courtroom by DSS operatives.
Security had earlier been tightened 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 presence included 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 El-Rufai would be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said El-Rufai would be arraigned alongside 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 commission also disclosed that a separate charge, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been filed against El-Rufai and 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.
According to the commission, both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, while 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 followed growing 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.
The Muslim Rights Concern also criticised his prolonged detention, while members of his family raised concerns over alleged rights violations.
El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail on February 18, and later re-arrested by the ICPC. He remained in custody pending his arraignment.
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