The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday approved bail for former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption charges brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
However, the court directed that the former governor remain in the custody of the anti-graft agency until he satisfies the bail requirements.
Presiding judge, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, issued the ruling after previously postponing the case from April 1 to April 14, 2026, to review submissions from both the prosecution and defence.
Justice Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail set at N200 million with two sureties of equal value, describing the terms as “strict and extensive.”
The court further held that the defendant would stay in ICPC custody until all conditions are met.
Among the requirements, the sureties must submit their passports to the court.
The judge also stipulated that one surety must be a civil servant of at least Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.
Additionally, El-Rufai is prohibited from making public statements about the case and is required to be present at all court hearings. Counsel to the former governor, Ubong Akpan, declined to speak with journalists after the session.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed that bail had been granted. A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Hayatudeen Makarfi, also verified the development, noting that the bail conditions include financial obligations, landed property, and a recognised traditional ruler as surety.
He emphasized that all conditions must be fulfilled before the former governor can be released, adding that El-Rufai would remain in ICPC custody until then.
Earlier on Tuesday, proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court in a related case were delayed, as the court postponed its ruling on El-Rufai’s bail request to April 21, 2026.
The delay occurred because the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, was unable to deliver the ruling as scheduled.
The ICPC had earlier, on March 18, 2026, arraigned El-Rufai alongside the Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited, Amadu Sule, before the Kaduna State High Court under Charge No. KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26.
The initial charges included alleged abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and granting undue advantage.
However, the prosecution later revised the charges, removing Sule from the case and limiting the trial to El-Rufai alone.
Speaking after the adjournment, Akpan explained that the situation arose due to unforeseen circumstances.
“His Lordship was bereaved and he was unable to put the ruling together. So, we understand these things happen,” he said.
He expressed hope ahead of the new date, saying, “So the ruling has been adjourned to Tuesday next week. The ruling on the motion for bail. So, fingers crossed.”
Akpan also alleged that the ICPC is pursuing staggered legal actions against his client, pointing out that cases are ongoing in both state and federal courts.
Following the Kaduna State High Court proceedings, El-Rufai was taken to the Federal High Court, where he faced a separate 10-count charge before Justice Aikawa.
This situation underscores the increasing legal challenges confronting the former governor across multiple courts.
