Nasir el-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State has arrived at the federal high court in Kaduna on Tuesday morning under heavy security for his arraignment over alleged fraud.
El-Rufai was brought to the court premises at about 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom around 9:34 a.m.
Dressed in a light green babanriga with a matching cap, he was surrounded by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Security was significantly tightened around the court premises, located at the old Nigerian Defence Academy, with heavily armed personnel deployed from the early hours.
Vehicular movement in the area was restricted, forcing motorists into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo, resulting in traffic disruptions.
The development follows an earlier announcement by the ICPC that El-Rufai would be arraigned before the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
In a statement by its spokesperson, John Odey, the commission said El-Rufai would be arraigned alongside Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.
According to the ICPC, the charges include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
The commission also disclosed that a separate charge, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been filed against El-Rufai and Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.
It said the charges in the state case include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
The ICPC noted that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that the arraignment date in the state court would be announced later.
It also maintained that El-Rufai had been duly served, reaffirming its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, granted bail on February 18, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC, remaining in custody until his arraignment.