Tight security as El-Rufai appears in Kaduna court for arraignment

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday appeared before the Federal High Court in Kaduna amid heavy security for his arraignment on corruption-related charges.

El-Rufai is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of money laundering and conversion of public property.

The former governor had earlier been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for 48 hours before being taken into custody by the ICPC.

His arraignment follows mounting pressure on the anti-graft agency to either charge him to court or release him.

Security operatives were deployed heavily in and around the court premises, while journalists were reportedly restricted from covering the proceedings.

The ICPC also disclosed that a separate case has been filed against El-Rufai and another defendant before a Kaduna State High Court, involving charges of abuse of office, fraud and conferring undue advantage.

The date for the state court arraignment is yet to be announced.