Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 23 for the arraignment of former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in the cybercrimes and breach of Communications Act charges brought against him by the Federal Government
The Federal Government’s bid to arraign El-Rufai today could not proceed due to his absence.
El-Rufai, who was to be docked for his plea of guilty or not guilty over his alleged complicity in cybercrimes, breach of Communications Act, was not in court when the FG’s case against him was called.
At the hearing on Wednesday, Defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, told the court that his client was in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and could not be brought for arraignment.
Iyamu urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable his production, and pressed for the bail application to be heard, noting that the prosecution had indicated it would not oppose bail as the offences were bailable.
However, the prosecution, led by Oluwole Aladedoye, asked the court to defer the bail request, arguing that the defendant had not yet been arraigned.
In a brief ruling, Justice Joyce Abdumalik held that since the defendant had not been formally arraigned, the bail application was premature.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to April 23, 2026, for arraignment.
