The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, after his defence team was unable to produce him in court.
El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged illegal wiretapping of the phone of the former National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
At the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu, informed the court that the former governor was in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and could not appear for arraignment.
He requested an adjournment to allow for El-Rufai’s production and also sought a hearing for his bail application, stating that the offences in question were bailable and that the prosecution had indicated no opposition.
The prosecution, led by Oluwole Aladedoye, however, opposed the immediate hearing of the bail application, noting that the defendant had not yet been formally arraigned.
Justice Joyce Abdumalik, in a brief ruling, agreed with the prosecution that the bail request was premature and subsequently adjourned the case to April 23, 2026, for the formal arraignment of El-Rufai