El-Rufai: Court defers arraignment over custody dispute

Elrufai

The arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was stalled on Wednesday due to his absence in court, prompting the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdumalik, to adjourn proceedings to April 23, 2026.

At the resumed sitting, prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that although the matter was scheduled for arraignment, the defendant could not be produced as he was currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

He urged the court to adjourn the matter to March 10 to enable the anti-graft agency to produce the defendant, adding that the Department of State Services had no control over the ICPC despite being a sister agency.

Meanwhile, defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, while not opposing the application for adjournment, informed the court that based on discussions with the prosecution, the state would not oppose an application for bail. Punch