A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has adjourned proceedings on the bail application of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to March 31, 2026.
This comes after Tuesday’s hearing, during which legal arguments were presented by both the prosecution and the defense.
Counsel to the defendant, Ukpon Akpan urged the court to grant his client bail, citing constitutional rights and the need to allow the former governor adequate time to prepare his defense.
The prosecution, however, opposed the application, arguing that the charges against El-Rufai are serious and that granting bail could interfere with ongoing investigations.
Earlier, security was heightened around the Federal High Court in Kaduna as operatives of multiple security agencies took positions ahead of the arraignment of the former governor over alleged corruption-related offences.
As early as 7 a.m., heavily armed personnel drawn from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the Mobile Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed to strategic locations leading to the court premises at the old Nigerian Defence Academy.
Vehicular movement around the area was restricted, forcing motorists into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, leading to 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 before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday.
In a statement issued on Monday, the commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, said the former governor would be arraigned alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
According to the anti-graft agency, the charges against the defendants include alleged conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.
The statement read, “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 ICPC also disclosed that another charge had been filed against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.
The case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, includes counts bordering on 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 commission added.
The commission stated that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, noting that the date for the state court arraignment would be announced later.
It also confirmed that El-Rufai had been duly served with the charges, emphasising its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
The arraignment comes amid mounting pressure from stakeholders who had earlier criticised the continued detention of the former governor.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) had demanded either his immediate release or arraignment, describing his detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.
