Court Postpones El-Rufai’s Arraignment Until April 23

The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of the former Kaduna State Governor. The court postponed Gov Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s arraignment to April 23, 2026. This decision came after the prosecution failed to bring him to court on the scheduled date of February 25.

According to reports, Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik, who is overseeing the case, made the ruling. She had heard arguments from representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and El-Rufai’s defense team.

El-Rufai was not present when the court called the case. The prosecution confirmed that he remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) due to ongoing investigations into separate allegations.

Senior Advocate Oluwole Aladedoyin spoke for the DSS. He informed the court that the agency could not bring El-Rufai because the ICPC still holds him. “Unfortunately, the defendant is with the ICPC, and I do not know how far the investigation with the ICPC has gone,” he stated.

Defense counsel Oluwole Iyamu did not object to delaying the case to ensure El-Rufai’s attendance. However, he urged the court to consider a bail application for his client. He referenced Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He argues that they could discuss bail before formal arraignment.

Justice Abdulmalik, agreeing with the prosecution, ruled that bail applications were premature without a proper arraignment. “The court is not yet properly seized of the matter,” she said, dening the bail request.

The DSS has brought a three-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 against El-Rufai.

They are alleging unlawful interception of communications and violations of Nigeria’s cybercrime and telecommunications laws. Other counts include knowing about the unlawful interception without reporting it and using technology in a way that endangers public safety.

These counts allegedly violate the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

The prosecution argues that these actions posed risks to national security and public safety. However, El-Rufai disputes the claim in court.

El-Rufai’s legal issues do not stop with this postponed arraignment. He has filed motions to dismiss the DSS charges on constitutional grounds and claims they do not state any offense known to the law. He said that his televised statements cannot be seen as a judicial confession.

Additionally, the former governor has initiated a fundamental rights enforcement suit. He is reportedly seeking compensation for what he describes as unlawful treatment and abuses during his detention.

The court will reconvene on April 23, 2026. All eyes are on whether El-Rufai is brought in for arraignment. The case continues to garner significant public and political attention. This is owing to its connection to Nigeria’s cybersecurity laws and enforcement actions against prominent figures.