Ex-Gov El-Rufai Secures N200m Bail In Corruption Case, Barred From Media Interviews
The Federal High Court has granted bail to Kaduna State’s former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, in his corruption trial.
Details of El-Rufai’s bail conditions granted by the Federal High Court in Kaduna State include:
– N200 million bail bond with two sureties.
– One of the sureties is required to provide a Certificate of Occupancy for landed property.
– The other one must be a respected elder in Kaduna State, verified by the Kaduna State Council of Elders.
–Â El-Rufai and his counsel must not grant interviews regarding the case pending the conclusion of the trial.
– El-Rufai must report to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the first day of every month and deposit his passport with the court.
The ruling follows earlier hearings in which arguments were presented by both the defence and prosecution regarding his bail application.
The court had previously reserved its decision before delivering its ruling.
Meanwhile, a separate case involving El-Rufai at the Kaduna State High Court has been adjourned until April 21, 2026.
The adjournment comes after amendments to the charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, including the removal of a co-defendant from the case.
El-Rufai is facing multiple allegations related to abuse of office, financial mismanagement, and the unlawful disbursement of public funds.
Among the claims are the alleged approval of billions of naira for projects that were not executed, improper receipt of severance benefits, and violations tied to procurement processes and international loan usage.
He has denied all charges brought against him.
In addition, he is to report to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the first day of every month and deposit his passport with the court.
Earlier, El-Rufai had appeared before the Kaduna State High Court at about 9:00 a.m., which was his first point of call for the day.
However, proceedings did not progress as expected, as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned ruling on the bail application to April 21.
The ICPC on Monday arraigned El-Rufai before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court 5 on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.
The arraignment, which took place on Monday, followed an amendment of the original charge filed by the Commission.
ICPC prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, told the court that the amended charge now separates the previously joint case involving El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Amadu Sule.
According to the ICPC, the amendment became necessary due to the continued absence of the second defendant, Amadu Sule, who was reported to be unavailable in court on account of a medical condition.
Following the development, the court granted the application for amendment, allowing the prosecution to proceed with the arraignment of El-Rufai independent of the second defendant.
Mallam El-Rufai was subsequently arraigned on nine amended charges which allege various infractions under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017, and Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2017.
