Heavy security was deployed around the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Armed security operatives were stationed within and around the court premises, located at the Old Nigerian Defence Academy, restricting movement and limiting access to the area.
ICPC operatives brought the former governor to the court complex at about 9:00 a.m., but he remained in the vehicle for several minutes before security agents escorted him into the courtroom around 9:34 a.m.
Journalists were reportedly barred from entering the courtroom.
Security personnel present included officers of the State Security Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The ICPC had earlier announced that Mr El-Rufai would be arraigned alongside Joel Adoga before the Federal High Court in Kaduna over alleged corruption-related offences.
The anti-corruption agency also filed a separate case at the Kaduna State High Court against Mr El-Rufai and another defendant, Amadu Sule.
The charges reportedly include abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
The ICPC said its investigation followed a petition alleging financial misconduct during Mr El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023, including issues related to state loans, procurement processes, and transfers from government accounts.
Mr El-Rufai was re-arrested by the ICPC in February shortly after being released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had earlier detained him over corruption allegations.
The former governor has denied any wrongdoing and described the investigations as politically motivated.
He has also filed several court cases challenging his arrest, detention, and the search of his Abuja residence, and is seeking damages.
He is also facing a separate prosecution by the State Security Service over alleged phone-tapping claims involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, with arraignment in that case scheduled for April 23 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
