A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday declined to entertain a bail application filed by the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, describing the request as premature.
In a brief ruling, the presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, held that the issue of bail could not be considered as the defendant had not yet been formally arraigned before the court. She consequently adjourned proceedings until April 23 to allow relevant agencies coordinate his appearance.
Earlier, lead prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladeloye (SAN), informed the court that El-Rufai was absent because he remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Counsel representing the Department of State Services (DSS) argued that in light of the defendant’s absence, the defence application for bail did not arise at this stage of the proceedings.
Justice Abdulmalik upheld the DSS’s submission, stressing that since El-Rufai had not been formally arraigned, any consideration of bail would be premature. The court directed the DSS to liaise with the ICPC to facilitate the former governor’s production in court on the adjourned date.
The DSS has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai, alleging unlawful interception of the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and violations of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
