The Federal High Court has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who is being prosecuted over alleged corruption by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC. The court set the bail condition at ₦200 million, with two sureties required.
The court added that one of the sureties must provide a Certificate of Occupancy for landed property, while the other is to be a recognised elder in Kaduna State, subject to verification by the Kaduna State Council of Elders.
The court further directed that Mr El-Rufai and his legal team refrain from granting media interviews until the conclusion of the trial.
He was also ordered to report to the ICPC on the first day of every month and to deposit his international passport with the court.
Mr El-Rufai’s bail comes hours after he appeared before the Kaduna State High Court under tight security for the continuation of proceedings on his bail application in a separate but related corruption case instituted by the ICPC.
Security was heightened at the court premises during the proceedings, reflecting public and political interest in the case. Journalists were also barred from accessing the courtroom.
The case had earlier been delayed after the prosecution introduced an amended nine-count charge against the former governor. The initial charge, which included one Amadu Sule as co-defendant, was revised to make El-Rufai the sole defendant.
Counsel to the defendant, Ubong Akpan (SAN), had told journalists that the defence team was served the amended charges in court without prior notice, necessitating an adjournment.
Justice Darius Khobo subsequently adjourned the matter to April 14, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application, which has now been granted.
The charges against El-Rufai stem from his tenure as governor and include allegations of inducing the Kaduna State Government to release about N11 billion to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was not executed.
The ICPC also alleged that he approved and received about N289.8 million as a severance allowance, above the legally permitted amount.
Other allegations include the alleged mismanagement of over $1.08 million from a World Bank loan, unlawful award of a N4.6 billion CCTV contract in the Kaduna metropolis in breach of procurement laws, and conspiracy to bribe federal investigators.
The allegation that was all denied by El-Rufai has denied all allegations.
He is also facing a separate 10-count charge before the Federal High Court, where he was earlier arraigned before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on allegations bordering on money laundering, as well as conversion and possession of public property.
