El-Rufai Appears In Kaduna Court Under Heavy Security, Media Shut Out

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday under heavy security for his arraignment on corruption-related charges, as journalists were denied access to the courtroom.

Security operatives cordoned off the court premises early in the day, restricting movement and causing traffic disruption around the Ungwan Sarki and Kawo axis. Personnel of the DSS, police, NSCDC, and other agencies were deployed in large numbers.

El-Rufai arrived around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at about 9:34 a.m. Dressed in a light green babanriga, he was surrounded by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the DSS.

Despite arriving early, journalists were barred from entering the courtroom by security officials.

The ICPC had earlier announced that El-Rufai would be arraigned alongside Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026 over alleged offences including conversion and possession of public property and money laundering.

The commission also disclosed a separate case before a Kaduna State High Court involving El-Rufai and Amadu Sule, with charges ranging from abuse of office to fraud and conferring undue advantage.

According to the ICPC, both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that El-Rufai had been duly served in line with legal procedures.

His arraignment follows weeks of controversy over his detention, with political groups and civil society organisations demanding that he be formally charged or released.

El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in February, granted bail, and later re-arrested by the ICPC, remaining in custody until Tuesday’s court appearance.