Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Kaduna, while a separate bail application before the Kaduna State High Court has been adjourned to April 21, 2026.
The two bail proceedings took place on Tuesday during separate sittings—one at the Federal High Court and the other at the Kaduna State High Court—both connected to ongoing legal matters involving the former governor.
At the Federal High Court, El-Rufai secured bail under strict conditions. The court granted him bail in the sum of ₦200 million, with two sureties. One surety is expected to present a Certificate of Occupancy for landed property, while the second must be a respected elder in Kaduna State, to be verified by the Kaduna State Council.
In addition, the court ordered that El-Rufai and his legal team must refrain from granting media interviews until the conclusion of the trial. He is also required to report to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the first day of every month, and must deposit his international passport with the court.
Meanwhile, proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court did not reach a conclusion, as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned the hearing on the bail application to April 21, 2026.
Security was significantly tightened at the Federal High Court on Tuesday, as El-Rufai appeared for the ruling on his bail request. The court, presided over by Justice Rilwan Aikawa, recorded restricted movement around the premises, with security operatives stationed at key locations.
Earlier in the day, El-Rufai had first appeared at the Kaduna State High Court at about 9:00 a.m., but the hearing was postponed.
The ICPC had on Monday arraigned El-Rufai before Justice Khobo at Kaduna State High Court 5 on a nine-count charge involving allegations of advance fee fraud and money laundering. The arraignment followed an amendment of the original charge filed by the Commission.
ICPC counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, explained that the amended charge separated El-Rufai’s case from that of his co-defendant, Amadu Sule, whose absence in court was attributed to a reported medical condition.
The court approved the amendment and allowed the prosecution to proceed with El-Rufai’s arraignment independently.
El-Rufai was subsequently arraigned on nine amended charges relating to alleged violations of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, the Kaduna State Penal Code 2017, and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law 2017.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
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