Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed April 23 for the arraignment of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, over alleged cybercrimes and breaches of telecommunications laws.

The planned arraignment on Wednesday could not proceed due to the defendant’s absence in court. Counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), informed the court that El-Rufai was with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for an ongoing investigation. He said the DSS had no control over the sister agency and sought an adjournment.

Although defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu did not oppose the adjournment, he applied for bail on behalf of his client, citing legal authorities to support the request. The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that bail could only be considered after formal arraignment.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik declined the bail request, holding that the court was not yet seized of the matter since the defendant had not been arraigned. She ruled that any bail application must follow arraignment.

The DSS filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, accusing him of violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

According to the charge, the former governor allegedly admitted during a February 13, 2026 appearance on Arise TV’s “Prime Time” programme in Abuja that he and others unlawfully intercepted the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The prosecution further alleged that El-Rufai acknowledged knowing individuals involved in the alleged interception without reporting them to security agencies. He is also accused of conspiring with others at large to use technical systems to intercept the NSA’s communications, actions the DSS said compromised national security.

The case has been adjourned to April 23 for arraignment.