The arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was on Wednesday postponed by the Federal High Court in Abuja after he was not produced in court.
El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge filed by the Department of State Services over the alleged wiretapping of the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
At the hearing, defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu informed the court that his client was currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, making it impossible to present him for arraignment.
Iyamu requested an adjournment to enable the defendant’s appearance and urged the court to consider the pending bail application, noting that the prosecution had indicated it would not oppose bail since the charges are bailable.
However, the prosecution, led by Oluwole Aladedoye, opposed the bail request at this stage, 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, holding that the bail application could not be entertained before arraignment.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to April 23, 2026, for arraignment.
More details to follow.
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