Court Denies El-Rufai Bail, Adjourn Arraignment to April 23

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a bail application for former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and adjourned his arraignment on three-count charges of cybercrimes and breach of the Nigerian Communications Act to April 23, 2026.The Federal Government’s attempt to arraign El-Rufai today failed as he was absent from court. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oluwole Aladedoye SAN, representing the Department of State Services (DSS), informed the court that the former governor remained in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for ongoing investigations into separate matters. He explained that the DSS had no control over the sister agency and requested an adjournment to March 23 to allow for his production in court.Counsel to El-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu, did not oppose the adjournment but strongly pressed for bail, citing relevant legal authorities in support of his application.The Federal Government’s lawyer vehemently opposed the bail request, describing it as premature and arguing that bail considerations could only arise after formal arraignment and plea.After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik declined to grant bail, stating that the court was not yet properly seized of the matter. She ruled that any application for bail must be made following arraignment.The three-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was filed by the DSS on Monday, February 23, 2026. It accuses El-Rufai of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, failing to report known perpetrators, and using technical systems that compromised national security and public safety.The charges stem directly from statements El-Rufai made during a February 13, 2026, appearance as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja, where he allegedly admitted to the interception of the NSA’s communications.The specific counts include:Unlawful interception of communications, contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. Knowing individuals who carried out the unlawful interception but failing to report them to relevant security agencies, punishable under Section 27(b) of the same Act. Use of technical equipment or systems that breached public safety and national security by intercepting the NSA’s communications, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, following a brief detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He faces parallel probes into alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.The adjournment to April 23 means the former governor will remain in custody for at least another two months pending arraignment, amid heightened public interest and calls from political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for transparency regarding his detention and wellbeing.

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