Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Bail Hearing To March 31

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.

The decision followed arguments presented by both the prosecution and defence on Tuesday.

At the hearing, defence counsel, Ukpon Akpan, urged the court to grant bail to his client, citing his constitutional rights and the need to adequately prepare for trial.

However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the charges against the former governor are grave and that granting bail could hinder ongoing investigations.

Earlier in the day, El-Rufai was brought before the court under heavy security for his arraignment over alleged corruption-related offences. He arrived at the court premises around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle but remained inside for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom at about 9:34 a.m.

Dressed in a light green babanriga with a matching cap, the former governor was flanked by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), who maintained a tight security cordon.

Journalists were barred by DSS operatives from entering the courtroom, despite arriving as early as 7:00 a.m. to cover the proceedings, raising concerns about transparency in the handling of the high-profile case.

Security was visibly heightened around the court complex, located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area, with personnel drawn from multiple agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Mobile Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Vehicular movement in the area was restricted, causing traffic congestion along the Ungwan Sarki–Kawo axis.

The arraignment followed an earlier announcement by the ICPC that El-Rufai would be charged alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026. According to the Commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, the charges include conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.

The ICPC also disclosed a separate charge filed before a Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another individual, Amadu Sule. The charges in that case include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

The Commission stated that both charges were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that a date for arraignment in the state court would be communicated later. It maintained that the former governor had been duly served and reiterated its commitment to due process.

The development comes amid mounting pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which had called for either his release or immediate arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional. The Muslim Rights Concern also criticised his prolonged detention, while family members raised concerns over alleged rights violations.

LEADERSHIP reports that El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC. He has remained in custody until his arraignment on Tuesday.