Federal High Court for Abuja don adjourn di arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to April 23, 2026, after he no show for court on Wednesday.
Trial judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, take di decision after prosecution tell court say dem no fit produce di defendant because e still dey custody of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, explain say although di matter bin fixed for arraignment, di defendant dey ICPC hand and di Department of State Services (DSS) no get control over di agency. E beg court make dem adjourn di case to allow authorities bring El-Rufai come court.
Bail Matter Generate Argument
Defence lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu, no oppose adjournment but tell court say prosecution don agree say di offence bailable. He come ask make court hear bail application before any further step.
But prosecution oppose am, ask court make dem push bail consideration for two weeks. Iyamu counter am, say keeping El-Rufai for custody without arraignment amount to suppression and injustice.
Judge Rule Bail Application Premature
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik talk say since dem never arraign di defendant, bail matter no fit arise yet. She cite Section 156 of di Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015), describe di bail application as premature.
Court come officially adjourn di case to April 23, 2026, for proper arraignment.
Background Of Di Case
Na Department of State Services (DSS) file three-count charge against El-Rufai on February 16, 2026, accuse am of unlawfully intercepting phone communication of di National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
DSS allege say El-Rufai admit during interview for Arise TV on February 13 say e and others tap NSA phone line. Di offence dey punishable under di Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 and Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai don also approach court, ask make di charges quashed, describe dem as unconstitutional and abuse of court process. He even demand N2 billion damages against DSS for alleged harassment and public victimisation.
