A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to April 23, 2026, following his absence when the case was called on Wednesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the proceedings after the prosecution informed the court that El-Rufai could not be produced because he is currently in the custody of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he is being investigated over separate allegations.
Department of State Services (DSS) had filed a three-count charge against the former governor, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoyin, told the court that although the DSS was ready for the arraignment, it had no control over the ICPC, which currently has custody of the defendant. He therefore requested an adjournment to allow time for El-Rufai’s production in court.
Defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, did not oppose the request for adjournment but urged the court to consider a bail application, arguing that prolonged detention without arraignment amounted to oppressive conduct. However, the trial judge ruled that the bail request was premature, noting that the defendant must first be formally arraigned before such an application could be entertained.
The court subsequently fixed April 23, 2026, for the arraignment, directing all parties to ensure the defendant’s presence on the next adjourned date.
The charges stem from statements El-Rufai allegedly made during a televised interview, in which he reportedly admitted to the interception of sensitive communications, which according to the prosecution, posed a threat to national security.
