The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has fixed July 1, 2026, to rule on the bail applications submitted by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal, in an alleged corruption case brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai, who appeared before two different courts in Kaduna on Wednesday, is currently facing allegations linked to abuse of office, financial misconduct and money laundering.
At the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, the former governor, Lawal — who served as a special adviser during El-Rufai’s administration — and several companies were arraigned on an amended 11-count charge.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai entered a not guilty plea to Count One, while Lawal pleaded not guilty to Counts Six, Seven and Eight.
One of the companies involved, Singularity Network Security Limited, was arraigned on Counts Two, Three, Four, Five, Nine, Ten and Eleven.
Altogether, El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities are listed as defendants in the case.
Lawyers representing El-Rufai and Lawal informed the court that bail applications had already been filed. After listening to submissions from both the prosecution and defence teams, Justice Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1 for a decision on the requests.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises around 9:30 a.m. under heavy security presence as the high-profile proceedings resumed.
In a separate development, the former governor also appeared before the Kaduna State High Court for another ongoing case instituted by the ICPC.
That matter, before Justice Darius Khobo, concerns allegations of abuse of office and money laundering said to have occurred during El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023.
Justice Khobo adjourned proceedings in that case until June 29, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The Federal High Court had previously shifted the case to June 24 after two co-defendants failed to appear at an earlier sitting.
El-Rufai has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, insisting that decisions taken while in office were lawful and made in the public interest.
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The ICPC, however, claims its investigation uncovered irregularities in government spending and contract awards, alleging that public funds were diverted and improperly managed.
Earlier in the case, on April 14, 2026, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail set at N200 million with two sureties. The conditions required one surety to be a serving or retired civil servant on Grade Level 15 and the other to be a recognised traditional ruler.
A subsequent request by the former governor to review the bail conditions was rejected by the court.
The anti-corruption agency had initially charged El-Rufai alongside two former senior Kaduna State Government officials on allegations including conspiracy, abuse of office and unlawful financial transactions. All defendants denied the charges.
The trial continues to attract national attention because of El-Rufai’s political influence and his eight years in office as Kaduna State governor.