Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, may have secured bail from the Federal High Court in Abuja, but freedom will come at a steep procedural price.
In a ruling that underscored the gravity of the allegations against the former governor, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of ₦100 million while imposing a web of stringent conditions described by courtroom observers as among the toughest handed to a high-profile political figure in recent years.
The court ruled that the former governor must present a surety in like sum — a federal civil servant of no less than Grade Level 17 — who must also reside in Abuja’s elite Maitama or Asokoro districts.
Beyond financial capacity, the surety is required to surrender the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, swear to an affidavit of means, execute a bail bond, and provide a recent passport photograph.
In another layer of scrutiny, the court ordered the surety to submit authenticated evidence of salary payments covering at least three months, backed by a verification letter from a bank manager. A tax clearance certificate for the last six months and a confirmation letter from the surety’s department were also listed among the mandatory conditions.
Justice Abdulmalik further directed El-Rufai to deposit all valid international passports with the court registry, effectively restricting his international movement pending the determination of the case.
The former governor was also ordered to report physically to the headquarters of the Department of State Services every last Friday of the month by 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register.
Adding a symbolic political and cultural dimension to the bail terms, the court instructed El-Rufai to produce a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
The judge warned that any breach of the conditions would trigger an automatic revocation of the bail.
El-Rufai is currently facing a five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services over allegations linked to national security concerns. His arraignment and subsequent bail hearing have drawn nationwide attention due to his political stature and influence within Nigeria’s power circles.
Proceedings in the matter are expected to continue in the coming weeks as prosecutors press forward with the amended charges.
