Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday to face charges related to alleged corruption, with journalists prevented from entering the courtroom.
Security around the court premises was significantly heightened ahead of the proceedings. Personnel from multiple agencies, including the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Mobile Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed early in the morning to secure the area.
By about 7 a.m., security operatives had taken positions at key access points leading to the court, located near the former site of the Nigerian Defence Academy. Traffic in the area was heavily affected, as vehicles were restricted to a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, resulting in gridlock.
The arraignment follows an earlier announcement by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which confirmed it would charge El-Rufai alongside one Joel Adoga in a case filed as FHC/KD/73/2026.
According to the commission, the charges include alleged unlawful conversion and possession of public assets, as well as money laundering. It also disclosed a separate case filed at a Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another individual, Amadu Sule. That case involves allegations such as abuse of office, fraud, attempted fraud, and granting undue advantage.
The ICPC stated that both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that the hearing date for the state court matter would be announced later. It also confirmed that the former governor had been properly served with the charges.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises around 9:00 a.m. under tight security in a Hilux vehicle. He remained inside the vehicle for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at approximately 9:34 a.m.
Dressed in a light green babanriga and cap, he was surrounded by security operatives from the ICPC and DSS, who formed a protective barrier as he was led inside.
Despite the high-profile nature of the case, members of the press were denied entry into the courtroom by security officials.