Dare Babalola
The Federal High Court 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).
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, the presiding judge, Rilwanu Aikawa, approved the bail application after previously reserving judgment on April 1, 2026, to review submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.
The court admitted the former governor to bail in the sum of N200 million, with two sureties required to provide an equivalent amount. However, Justice Aikawa directed that El-Rufai remain in the custody of the ICPC until all stipulated conditions are fully met.
As part of the bail terms, the court mandated that both sureties must surrender their international passports.
Additionally, one of the sureties must be a serving civil servant of not less than Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.
The court also imposed further restrictions on the defendant, including a prohibition on making public statements related to the case. He was equally ordered to attend all court proceedings without fail.
Although legal counsel to the former governor, Ubong Akpan, declined to comment on the outcome of the proceedings, confirmation of the bail was provided by his son, Bello El-Rufai.
Further corroboration came from a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Hayatudeen Lawal Makarfi, who noted that the bail conditions extend beyond financial guarantees to include requirements such as landed property and the involvement of a traditional ruler as one of the sureties.
He emphasised that the conditions attached to the bail are extensive and must be fulfilled before El-Rufai can secure his release from custody.
Meanwhile, proceedings in a separate but related corruption matter involving the former governor at the Kaduna State High Court have been adjourned.
The court fixed April 21, 2026, for a ruling on his bail application in that case, prolonging the series of legal challenges currently confronting him.
