Court Delays El-Rufai's Arraignment to April 23 in Abuja
The arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was stalled on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as the defence failed to produce him in court. El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly wiretapping the phone of National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
Defence Cites ICPC Custody as Reason for Delay
During the hearing, defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu informed the court that his client was in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and could not be brought for arraignment. Iyamu requested an adjournment to facilitate El-Rufai's production and urged the court to hear the bail application, noting that the prosecution had indicated it would not oppose bail since the offences are bailable.
Prosecution Argues Bail Request is Premature
However, the prosecution, led by Oluwole Aladedoye, opposed the immediate hearing of the bail application, arguing that it was premature as the defendant had not yet been formally arraigned. In a brief ruling, Justice Joyce Abdumalik agreed with the prosecution, stating that the bail application could not proceed without the defendant first being arraigned.
Court Sets New Date for Arraignment
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to April 23, 2026, for the formal arraignment of Nasir El-Rufai. This delay highlights procedural complexities in high-profile cases involving multiple agencies, with the defence and prosecution at odds over the timing of bail proceedings.
