The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to April 23, 2026, after he was not produced in court.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, prosecution counsel Oluwole Aladedoye told the court that although the matter was scheduled for arraignment, the defendant could not be brought before the court because he is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu did not oppose the adjournment but informed the court that the prosecution had indicated the charges were bailable. He urged the court to consider a bail application, arguing that his client had not yet been arraigned.
The prosecution opposed the immediate hearing of the bail request. In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdumalik held that bail could not be considered before arraignment, citing Section 156 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and described the application as premature.
The court adjourned the case for arraignment on April 23.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai, alleging unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, are said to be brought under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
El-Rufai has filed a motion seeking to quash the charges and requested N2 billion in costs, alleging abuse of court process.
