Heavy security presence as ICPC arraigns El-Rufai in Kaduna

Security was heightened on Tuesday around the Federal High Court in Kaduna as operatives of 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 drawn 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 located 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 that it would arraign El-Rufai on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.

The anti-graft agency, in a Monday statement by its 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.

According to the commission, the charges border on 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.

It said the counts 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, noting that the date for arraignment in the state court would be communicated in due course.

It also maintained that El-Rufai had been duly served, reaffirming its commitment to due process and the rule of law.

The arraignment comes amid mounting pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which had demanded either the immediate release or arraignment of the former governor, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.

Similarly, the Muslim Rights Concern had condemned his prolonged detention, while members of his family also raised concerns over what they described as a violation of his rights.

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.