The Federal High Court in Kaduna has granted former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, bail in the sum of N200 million over alleged corruption charges, even as he remains in custody pending the fulfilment of stringent conditions set by the court.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, the trial judge, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, held that the defendant must provide two sureties in like sum, describing the bail conditions as “strict and extensive.” The court ruled that El-Rufai would remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) until all conditions attached to the bail are fully met.
According to the court, both sureties are required to deposit their international passports. One must be a serving civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler. The conditions also reportedly include proof of financial capacity and landed property.
In addition, the court barred El-Rufai from making public comments on the case and mandated his attendance at all court proceedings.
Counsel to the defendant, Ubong Akpan, declined to comment following the ruling. However, the former governor’s son, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed that bail had been granted.
Reacting to the development, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hayatudeen Makarfi, described the conditions as far-reaching, noting that compliance would determine how soon the former governor regains his freedom.
Meanwhile, proceedings in a related matter before the Kaduna State High Court were earlier stalled after Justice Darius Khobo adjourned ruling on a separate bail application to April 21, 2026, citing his inability to deliver the decision as scheduled due to personal circumstances.
El-Rufai was initially arraigned on March 18, 2026, alongside the Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited, Amadu Sule, on allegations including abuse of office, fraud, and conferring undue advantage. However, the prosecution later amended the charges, dropping Sule from the case and proceeding solely against the former governor.
The defence has raised concerns over what it described as multiple legal actions being pursued simultaneously by the ICPC, with cases now running concurrently at both federal and state courts.
Following the state court session, El-Rufai was subsequently moved to the Federal High Court, where he faces a separate 10-count charge before Justice Aikawa, highlighting the mounting legal challenges confronting the former governor.
Further developments are expected as efforts to meet the bail conditions continue and as the adjourned state court proceedings resume later this month.
