The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption charges filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The court, however, ordered that the former governor remain in the custody of the anti-graft agency pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
Trial judge, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, delivered the ruling after adjourning the matter from April 1 to April 14, 2026, to consider arguments from both the prosecution and defence.
Justice Aikawa admitted El-Rufai to bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum, describing the conditions as “strict and extensive.”
The court ruled that the defendant must remain in ICPC custody until all the bail conditions are fully met.
As part of the conditions, the sureties are to deposit their passports with the court.
The judge further directed that one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.
In addition, El-Rufai is barred from making public comments relating to the case and must attend all court sittings.
Counsel for the former governor, Ubong Akpan, declined comment when approached by journalists shortly after proceedings.
However, El-Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed that his father had been granted bail.
Also, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Hayatudeen Makarfi, corroborated the development, noting that the bail came with multiple conditions, including financial requirements, landed property, and the involvement of a recognised traditional ruler as surety.
He stressed that the conditions must be met before the former governor can regain his freedom, adding that El-Rufai would remain in ICPC custody pending compliance.
Earlier on Tuesday, proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court in a related matter were stalled as the court adjourned ruling on El-Rufai’s bail application to April 21, 2026.
The adjournment followed the inability of the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, to deliver the ruling as earlier scheduled.
The ICPC had, 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 charges initially bordered on alleged abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
However, the prosecution amended the charges on Monday, dropping Sule from the case and narrowing the trial to only El-Rufai.
Speaking after the adjournment, Akpan attributed the development to circumstances beyond the court’s control.
“His Lordship was bereaved and he was unable to put the ruling together. So, we understand these things happen,” he said.
He expressed optimism ahead of the rescheduled ruling, adding, “So the ruling has been adjourned to Tuesday next week. The ruling on the motion for bail. So, fingers crossed.”
Akpan, however, accused the ICPC of engaging in phased litigation against his client, noting that proceedings were now ongoing in both the state and federal courts.
Shortly after the Kaduna State High Court session, El-Rufai was moved to the Federal High Court, where he was arraigned on a separate 10-count charge before Justice Aikawa.
The development highlights the mounting legal battles facing the former governor across multiple courts.
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