*Security Bars Journalists From Courtroom
THE Federal High Court in Kaduna, after hearing arguments by both the prosecution and defence, on Tuesday, March 24, adjourned proceedings on the bail application of former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, to March 31, this year.
Counsel to the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Ukpon Akpan, had urged the court to grant his client bail, citing constitutional rights and the need to allow him adequate time to prepare his defence.
But the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that the charges against El-Rufai were serious and granting bail could interfere with ongoing investigations into the case of alleged corruption and abuse of office.
Security presence was heavy in the capital city, especially around the court premises, ahead of El-Rufai’s arraignment, with armed personnel at key entry points to forestall any breakdown of law and order, as supporters and observers gathered outside the premises.
Journalists were barred from entering the courtroom to observe the proceedings against the former governor and Joel Adoga.
ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Okor Odey, had on Monday said the arraignment follows charges filed in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026, including alleged conversion and possession of public property, and money laundering.
The ICPC filed a separate case against El-Rufai and Amadu Sule before the Kaduna State High Court, in a case marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, over allegations of abuse of office and fraud, intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.
It said both charges were instituted on March 18, as part of its ongoing efforts to enforce accountability and combat corruption. But the date for the hearing at the state high court was yet to be fixed.
The former governor has been in ICPC custody since February 19, after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He had refused to respond to questions by ICPC investigators, citing his right to remain silent, and on March 5, the magistrate court extended his initial remand order by another 14 days.
He had filled a fundamental rights suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja over the search on his residence by ICPC and the remand order issued on February 19, with the Commission, the chief magistrate who issued the order, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as respondents.
El-Rufai was initially detained by the EFCC on February 16, this year. He was granted bail on February 18, but subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC.
