El-Rufai’s court arraignment postponed after no-show
Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor, was scheduled for arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The session was delayed because the defence could not present El-Rufai in court. His lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu, explained that El-Rufai was in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. The court has now set a new date for the arraignment.
What we know
- Nasir El-Rufai faces a three-count charge from the Department of State Services over alleged wiretapping of the phone of National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
- Defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu said El-Rufai could not attend because he was in ICPC custody.
- The defence requested an adjournment and pressed for a bail hearing, but the prosecution opposed hearing bail before arraignment.
- Justice Joyce Abdumalik ruled the bail application was premature since arraignment had not occurred.
- The court adjourned the matter to April 23, 2026, for arraignment.
