Security was significantly tightened at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned former Governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged corruption-related offences.

The Department of State Service has mounted heavy deployment, restricting movement and partially shutting down the dual carriageway, with only one lane accessible.

By about 7:00 a.m., heavily armed personnel of the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had taken positions at strategic locations leading to the court complex situated within the old Nigerian Defence Academy area.

Access roads to the venue witnessed restrictions, forcing vehicles into a single lane from the Ungwan Sarki axis through Kawo and triggering early morning gridlock.

The heavy security followed a prior notice by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission that it would arraign El-Rufai on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.

In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the commission said the former governor would be docked alongside one Joel Adoga in suit number FHC/KD/73/2026.

The agency explained that the charges against the defendants include alleged conversion, unlawful possession of public property, and money laundering.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission is set to arraign the former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i, and one Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Kaduna Judicial Division on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The charges range from conversion of and possession of public property to money laundering,” the statement read.

It further disclosed that another case, marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, had been instituted against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule before a Kaduna State High Court.

According to the commission, the state charges border on abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

“Similarly, another charge against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule has been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division. The charges range from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage, among others,” the statement added.

The ICPC said both cases were filed on March 18, 2026, adding that a date for arraignment in the state court would be announced later.

It also insisted that El-Rufai had been properly served, stressing its adherence to due process and the rule of law.

The development came amid growing pressure from stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress, which called for his immediate release or arraignment, describing his continued detention without formal charges as unconstitutional.

In the same vein, the Muslim Rights Concern criticised his prolonged detention, while members of his family also alleged a breach of his fundamental rights.

El-Rufai was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, granted bail two days later, and subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC.

He has remained in the custody of the anti-graft agency since then, pending his arraignment.

The grand reception of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State into the All Progressives Congress (APC) fold on Monday (today) turned out to be a major event the further built momentum around one of the governorship aspirants in the forthcoming 2027 Governorship Election in the State, Abdulrahman Bashir Haske.

The event, which took place at the Ribadu Square in Yola, witnessed an extraordinary political gathering as thousands of supporters, party leaders, and stakeholders converged to welcome Governor Fintiri into the APC, a move widely seen as a significant shift in the political direction of Adamawa State.

The grand reception attracted a massive crowd from across the state, turned the historic square into a vibrant sea of APC colours, as many political observers described the moment as a strategic alignment aimed at strengthening Adamawa’s connection with the national leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and positioning the state to benefit more directly from the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Amid the celebration and political symbolism of the day, one figure whose presence resonated strongly with the crowd was Haske, as his arrival sparked waves of excitement across different sections of the venue with supporters and youth groups erupting into chants that echoed across Ribadu Square.

Placards bearing messages of confidence in his leadership and vision were lifted high, as the crowd started chanting household slogans “Haske is Ok”, which reverberated through the crowd, reflecting a growing grassroots sentiment around his role in the future of Adamawa politics.

Observers say the spontaneous show of support signalled the rising political momentum surrounding Haske among party faithful and the youth demographics.

Widely recognised for his community engagement and youth-driven initiatives through the AB Haske Foundation, Haske has steadily built a reputation for connecting with grassroots communities and championing empowerment programmes that resonate strongly with young population across the state.

For many observers at the event, the energy around Haske underscored the emergence of a new wave of political enthusiasm centered on development-focused leadership, inclusive governance, and stronger grassroots representation.

While the reception primarily celebrated Governor Fintiri’s political realignment, the electrifying reception accorded to Haske added another dimension to the gathering signaling the rising expectations of supporters, who believe Adamawa’s next chapter should be driven by bold ideas, youthful energy, and a clear commitment to sustainable development.

As conversations gradually begin to shape the road toward 2027, the atmosphere at Ribadu Square suggests that the call for a new generation of leadership in Adamawa is growing louder—and the name Abdulrahman Bashir Haske is increasingly becoming part of that conversation.

Meanwhile, speaking at the event on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the grand reception for Fintiri, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the APC and the Federal Government are proud of Fintiri and pleased to welcome him and his supporters into the party.

The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, while presenting Fintiri with the party’s flag, said the APC is glad to have him, describing him as a hardworking governor, and urged him to make the party’s flag fly even more vigorously.

The National Chairman, while handing over the APC’s symbolic broom to Fintiri, charged him to bring the remnants of other parties in the state into the APC.

Haske, who applauded the party leadership for strengthening unity and understanding within the part, also expressed his commitment to work with the party leadership towards bringing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Adamawa, as stakeholders consultations and engagements intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the State.

Signed:

Abdulgaffar Ahmed

Publicity Secretary for Abdulrahman Haske

Nigeria has begun preparations to roll out Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory, as part of efforts to expand access to innovative prevention services.

At a media briefing on Monday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said Anambra, Ebonyi, Gombe, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory were selected.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lenacapavir is a long-acting injectable antiretroviral administered once every six months as pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV-negative individuals, offering an alternative to daily oral prevention drugs.NAN Hausa service

Salako said the rollout marked a significant step toward ending HIV and AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, through strengthened prevention, treatment and care services across the country.

He said Nigeria was selected by the Global Fund as one of nine early adopter countries after expressing interest in March 2025 and receiving approval for the introduction of Lenacapavir.

“About 52,000 doses of Lenacapavir have been provided to catalyse its introduction into our arsenal for HIV prevention and control,” Salako said.

He said the first batch of the drug had already arrived, adding that preparations were ongoing for national launch and facility-level rollout across the selected states.

Salako emphasised that the drug was not a treatment but a prevention option for HIV-negative individuals at substantial risk of infection.

“It is not a treatment. It is a prevention. It should not be seen as a licence for risky behaviour,” he said.

He said the government adopted a phased approach to ensure proper monitoring of safety outcomes before nationwide expansion.

“This is a controlled scale of introduction. We need to monitor outcomes and capture any local reactions before scaling up,” Salako said.

He said rollout activities would include a national launch, media engagement and facility-level flag-off across the selected states as part of implementation efforts.Electronic media content

Salako added that the National Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation Plan 2025 to 2028 would guide scale-up, covering service delivery, supply chain, financing and community engagement.

He said successful implementation of Lenacapavir would strengthen Nigeria’s HIV prevention response and accelerate progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Dr Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme, said the rollout plan was developed using programmatic data and stakeholder collaboration.

“Lenacapavir is not a cure. It is a prevention drug taken twice a year,” Bashorun said.

He said no major adverse events had been recorded, noting that only mild injection-site pain had been observed as a common side effect.

Bashorun said the drug would complement existing prevention options, including oral pre-exposure prophylaxis and long-acting injectable cabotegravir, expanding choices for individuals at risk.

He cautioned that the availability of the drug should not encourage risky behaviour.

Director of Public Health, Dr Charles Nzelu, described the development as long overdue and critical to improving adherence to HIV prevention interventions.

“This drug is long expected. With twice-yearly dosing, people will not need to take drugs daily.

“This drug is not a substitute. People must continue other preventive measures,” he said.

Nzelu added that while the government was currently funding the rollout, engagement with the private sector would be considered as implementation progresses.

Dr Temitope Ilori, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said the innovation would strengthen Nigeria’s comprehensive HIV prevention strategy.Nigerian government news

“This is a very innovative prevention method that will enhance adherence and compliance, especially among high-risk populations.

“It does not prevent sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancies,” she said.

Ilori added that the drug was not recommended for pregnant women and should be used within a broader combination prevention approach.

Margaret Zamzu, the Global Fund’s Disease Fund Manager for Tuberculosis and HIV, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to implement the programme successfully.

She described the Global Fund’s role as catalytic and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s HIV response.Nigerian government news

Dr Maya Ngon, Cluster Lead for Disease Prevention and Control, World Health Organisation, Nigeria, said the drug was recommended globally in July 2025 as an additional prevention option.

She emphasised the need for sustained behavioural change and public awareness to complement biomedical prevention efforts.

Josephine Aseme, Chairperson, Nigeria Key Population Health and Rights Network, welcomed the rollout and described it as long-awaited by vulnerable communities.

“I was once an oral PrEP user, but I had to stop. I have volunteered to be among the first to receive Lenacapavir,” Aseme said.

She said the injectable option would improve adherence and pledged community support to drive awareness and uptake among key populations.

(NAN)