Security was heightened on Tuesday around the Federal High Court in Kaduna as operatives from various agencies took positions ahead of the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption-related offences.
As early as 7:00 a.m., heavily armed personnel from the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Mobile Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were deployed to strategic points leading to the court premises at the old Nigerian Defence Academy.
Vehicular movement was restricted, with motorists forced into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, causing early morning traffic disruptions.
The development followed an earlier announcement by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that it would arraign El-Rufai on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
In a Monday statement, ICPC Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, disclosed that El-Rufai would be arraigned alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026. The charges relate to 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 further revealed 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, including counts of 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,” ICPC added.
Both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, with the arraignment date for the state court to be communicated later. ICPC confirmed that El-Rufai had been duly served, emphasising its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
The arraignment comes amid mounting pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which demanded either the immediate release or arraignment of the former governor, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional. The Muslim Rights Concern and El-Rufai’s family also condemned his prolonged detention.
El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, granted bail on February 18, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC.