A Federal High Court in Kaduna has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged corruption charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Despite approving bail, the court ruled that El-Rufai must remain in the custody of the anti-graft agency until all bail conditions are fully satisfied.
Presiding judge, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, delivered the decision after previously reserving ruling to consider arguments from both the defence and prosecution.
The court set bail at N200 million with two sureties in like sum, describing the requirements as “strict and extensive.”
Among the conditions, the sureties are required to deposit their passports with the court. One must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.
The court also barred El-Rufai from making public statements about the case and directed him to attend all court proceedings.
Counsel to the former governor, Ubong Akpan, declined to comment after the hearing. However, his son, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed that bail had been granted.
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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Hayatudeen Makarfi, also confirmed the development, noting that the conditions include financial requirements, landed property, and the involvement of a traditional ruler as surety.
He stressed that the conditions must be fulfilled before El-Rufai can be released, adding that he would remain in ICPC custody in the meantime.
Earlier in the day, proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court in a related matter were stalled after the court adjourned ruling on his bail application to April 21, 2026, due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo.
The ICPC had initially arraigned El-Rufai on March 18, 2026, alongside Amadu Sule, Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited, on charges including abuse of office and fraud. However, the charges were later amended, dropping Sule from the case and focusing solely on the former governor.
Explaining the earlier adjournment, Akpan said, “His Lordship was bereaved and he was unable to put the ruling together. So, we understand these things happen.”
He added, “So the ruling has been adjourned to Tuesday next week. The ruling on the motion for bail. So, fingers crossed.”
Akpan further accused the ICPC of pursuing multiple legal actions against his client across different courts.
Following proceedings at the state court, El-Rufai was arraigned before the Federal High Court on a separate 10-count charge, highlighting the growing legal challenges confronting the former governor.