ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the arraignment of former Kaduna State Gov. Nasir El-Rufai in a case alleging unlawful interception of communications from the phone of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to April 23, 2026.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the new date after counsel for the Department of State Services, Oluwole Aladedoyin, informed the court that El-Rufai remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over a separate investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds.

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The DSS had filed charges against El-Rufai following disclosures he made during a television interview. The court had earlier scheduled his arraignment for Feb. 25.

In a related development, El-Rufai has filed a motion before the same court seeking to quash the criminal charge instituted against him by the DSS.

The former governor described the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 and dated Feb. 16, 2026, as incompetent, unconstitutional and an abuse of court process.

In his application, El-Rufai is asking the court to strike out or quash the charge on the grounds that it discloses no offence known to law and lacks a prima facie case.

He further argued that the suit constitutes a gross abuse of court process and urged the court to discharge him.

El-Rufai is also seeking ₦2 billion in costs against the DSS, accusing the agency of misusing the criminal justice system to harass, embarrass and publicly victimize him.

The case is expected to resume April 23 for arraignment.