By Samuel Adeola
The arraignment of former Nasir El-Rufai was on Wednesday stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, following his absence in court.
Justice Joyce Abdumalik adjourned the matter to April 23, 2026, after the prosecution said the defendant could not be produced as he is in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, sought an adjournment to enable the anti-graft agency produce the defendant, noting that the DSS had no control over the ICPC.
Defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, did not oppose the adjournment but urged the court to hear a pending bail application, stressing that the charges are bailable. The prosecution, however, opposed immediate consideration of bail.
In her ruling, Justice Abdumalik held that bail could not be entertained as the defendant had not been arraigned, describing the application as premature under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The DSS had filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai has asked the court to quash the charges and award N2 billion in damages, alleging abuse of court process.
