The Federal High Court in Kaduna has admitted former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to bail in the sum of N200 million over corruption charges brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Despite the ruling, the court directed that El-Rufai remain in the custody of the anti-graft agency until he meets all the stipulated bail conditions.
Justice Rilwanu Aikawa delivered the decision on Tuesday after previously reserving ruling from April 1 to April 14, 2026, to consider submissions from both the prosecution and defence.
In granting the application, the judge described the bail terms as “strict and extensive,” requiring two sureties who must each provide a bond of N200 million.
The court further ordered that the defendant must remain in ICPC custody until all the bail conditions are fully satisfied.
Among the conditions, the sureties are required to deposit their international passports with the court. Additionally, one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.
Justice Aikawa also barred El-Rufai from making public comments on the case and mandated his attendance at all court proceedings.
Counsel to the former governor, Ubong Akpan, declined to speak with journalists after the sitting. However, El-Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed that bail had been granted.
Similarly, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Hayatudeen Makarfi, also verified the development, noting that the bail conditions included financial obligations, landed property requirements, and the provision of a recognised traditional ruler as one of the sureties.
He emphasised that the conditions must be fulfilled before the former governor can secure his release, adding that El-Rufai would remain in ICPC custody pending compliance.
Earlier in the day, proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court in a related case were stalled, as the court adjourned its ruling on El-Rufai’s bail application to April 21, 2026.
The delay followed the inability of the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, to deliver the ruling as scheduled.
The ICPC had arraigned El-Rufai on March 18, 2026, 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 allegations of abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage. However, the prosecution later amended the charge, removing Sule from the case and narrowing the trial to El-Rufai alone.
Explaining the adjournment at the state court, Akpan said, “His Lordship was bereaved and he was unable to put the ruling together. So, we understand these things happen.”
He expressed hope ahead of the new date, adding, “So the ruling has been adjourned to Tuesday next week. The ruling on the motion for bail. So, fingers crossed.”
Akpan also accused the ICPC of pursuing multiple legal actions against his client simultaneously, noting that proceedings were ongoing in both state and federal courts.
Following the Kaduna State High Court session, El-Rufai was moved to the Federal High Court, where he faced a separate 10-count charge before Justice Aikawa, underscoring the growing number of legal challenges confronting the former governor.
