By Faith Chondol
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in an ongoing corruption case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice Rilwanu Aikawa delivered the ruling on Tuesday after adjourning the matter from April 1 to April 14, 2026, to consider arguments from both the prosecution and defence.
The court admitted El-Rufai to bail in the sum of ₦200 million, with two sureties in like sum. However, he is to remain in ICPC custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
As part of the conditions, the sureties must deposit their international passports with the court. Additionally, one surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler
The court also barred the former governor from making public comments on the case and mandated his attendance at all court proceedings.
Counsel to the defendant, Ubong Akpan, declined to comment after the hearing. Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed that bail had been granted.
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Hayatudeen Lawal Makarfi, also corroborated the development, noting that the bail conditions include financial obligations, landed property requirements, and the involvement of a traditional ruler as surety.
In a related development, the Kaduna State High Court has adjourned ruling on a separate bail application involving El-Rufai to April 21, 2026, further prolonging the legal proceedings.
Post Comment