Nasir El-Rufai has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Kaduna, while a separate bail application at the Kaduna State High Court was adjourned to April 21, 2026. The rulings followed two separate court sittings on Tuesday concerning ongoing legal proceedings involving the former governor.
At the Federal High Court, presided over by Rilwan Aikawa, El-Rufai was granted bail in the sum of ₦200 million with two sureties. One surety must provide a Certificate of Occupancy for landed property, while the other must be a respected elder verified by the Kaduna State Council of Elders. The court also barred El-Rufai and his counsel from granting media interviews during the trial, ordered him to deposit his passport, and mandated monthly reporting to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Meanwhile, proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court, presided over by Darius Khobo, were adjourned without a ruling on the bail application. The adjournment followed earlier proceedings in which El-Rufai appeared before the court as part of his scheduled hearings for the day.
The ICPC had arraigned El-Rufai on Monday on a nine-count amended charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering. The prosecution, led by Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, explained that the charges were amended to separate the case from that of a co-defendant, Amadu Sule, who was absent due to medical reasons.
El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all nine charges brought under multiple laws, including the Corrupt Practices Act and Kaduna State statutes. Security was heightened around the Federal High Court during Tuesday’s proceedings, with restricted movement and heavy deployment of operatives to maintain order.
