By Obinna Uballa
Security was tightened on Tuesday around the Federal High Court in Kaduna as operatives of multiple security agencies were deployed ahead of the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption-related offences.
Armed personnel 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 stationed at strategic points around the court premises located at the old Nigerian Defence Academy.
The security presence, which began as early as 7:00 a.m., led to restrictions on vehicular movement, with motorists forced into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, causing early morning traffic congestion.
The development followed an announcement by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that it would arraign the former governor on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
In a statement issued on Monday by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the anti-graft agency 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 also disclosed 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.
According to the ICPC, 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 commission added.
The anti-graft agency said both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, adding 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 with the charges, reiter
