Security was heavily tightened on Tuesday around the Federal High Court in Kaduna as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El Rufai appeared for arraignment over alleged corruption and money laundering. Armed operatives from several agencies took up positions on all access roads leading to the court.
Personnel of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were deployed from as early as 7am. Vehicles were forced into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, causing serious traffic congestion in the area.
The development followed an earlier announcement by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that it would arraign El Rufai before the Federal High Court in Kaduna. The agency said he would appear alongside Joel Adoga in case number FHC/KD/73/2026.
According to the ICPC, the charges before the Federal High Court involve alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering. The commission added that a separate case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, has also been filed against El Rufai and one Amadu Sule at a Kaduna State High Court.
The state level charges include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage. The ICPC said both sets of charges were filed on March 18, 2026, and that the date for the Kaduna State High Court arraignment would be announced later.
The commission stressed that El Rufai had been properly served with the court processes and restated its commitment to due process and the rule of law in prosecuting the cases.
El Rufai arrived at the Federal High Court premises at about 9am in a Hilux vehicle under heavy escort. He remained inside the vehicle for more than 30 minutes before being led into the courtroom around 9:34am.
He was dressed in a light green babanriga and cap and was closely guarded as ICPC and DSS operatives formed a security ring around him while escorting him into the court.
Journalists who tried to cover the proceedings were barred from entering the courtroom by security operatives. They were restricted to the court premises and left to await further information on the day’s proceedings.
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