The federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the arraignment of Nasir El-Rufai, a former Kaduna State governor to April 23.
The proceedings could not go on after the defendant was not produced in court.
El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge filed by the department of state services over alleged phone surveillance involving national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
According to Oluwole Iyamu, defence counsel, the former governor was in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and could not be brought to court.
Meanwhile, Oluwole Aladedoye, prosecution counsel, opposed the hearing of the bail application, arguing that the defendant had not been formally arraigned.
Justice Joyce Abdumalik subsequently ruled that the bail request was premature and adjourned the case to April 23 for arraignment.