DSS Bars Journalists From Courtroom Amid Ex-Governor El-Rufai's Arraignment In Kaduna

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Tuesday morning brought before the Federal High Court in Kaduna under tight security for his arraignment over alleged corruption-related offences.
SaharaReporters gathered that El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at about 9am in a Hilux vehicle but remained inside for over 30 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom around 9:34 a.m.

In a video shared by NTA News, the former governor appeared in a light green babanriga with a matching cap, flanked by heavily armed operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) who formed a tight security cordon as he was escorted into the courtroom.

Despite the high-profile nature of the proceedings, journalists were denied access to the courtroom. Reporters who arrived as early as 7am were barred by DSS operatives from covering the arraignment, raising fresh concerns over transparency.

Security presence around the court, located within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area, was significantly intensified, with armed personnel drawn from the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed from the early hours.

In a statement, ICPC spokesperson John Odey confirmed that El-Rufai is being arraigned alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga… The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering,” the commission said.

The anti-graft agency further disclosed that a separate case has been filed against El-Rufai
and another individual, Amadu Sule, before a Kaduna State High Court.

“Similarly, another charge… has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court… The charges range from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage,” the statement added.

According to the ICPC, both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, with the date for the state court arraignment yet to be announced.

The arraignment comes amid mounting pressure from political groups and civil society organisations, including the African Democratic Congress, which had criticised El-Rufai’s prolonged detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that El-Rufai was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC, remaining in custody until Tuesday’s court appearance.

His continued detention had also drawn criticism from rights groups and family members, who alleged violations of his fundamental rights.