Supporters of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday stormed the premises of the Federal High Court in Kaduna as the ex-governor appeared for his arraignment on corruption-related charges. The dramatic scenes unfolded amid tight security as El-Rufai was brought to the court under heavy protection by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Services (DSS), police, and other security agencies. Video footage circulating online showed El-Rufai’s loyalists surging towards the court premises, chanting in solidarity and demanding justice for their leader. Security personnel struggled to maintain order and kept the crowd at a distance from the main courtroom area.Journalists were reportedly barred from entering the courtroom, heightening tensions during the proceedings. El-Rufai, dressed in a light green babanriga and matching cap, arrived at the court around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside for over 30 minutes before being moved. He faces charges bordering on alleged conversion of public property, money laundering, and abuse of office alongside other defendants. The development comes against the backdrop of ongoing probes into his administration’s financial dealings, with separate cases involving the ICPC and other agencies. Security was intensified from the early hours of Tuesday around the court, located near the old Nigerian Defence Academy, with operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed in large numbers. The matter remains before the court, with proceedings continuing under strict security measures.
Related Articles
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.