KADUNA — Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, on Tuesday appeared before a Federal High Court in Kaduna ahead of a ruling on his bail application, as proceedings in his high-profile trial continued under tight security.
The former governor arrived at the court premises in the early hours of the day, where his bail application—previously adjourned—was scheduled for determination.
Following the hearing, the court granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of ₦200 million, with stringent conditions attached.
The court ruled that El-Rufai must provide two sureties, one of whom is to present a valid Certificate of Occupancy for landed property, while the other must be a respected elder in Kaduna State, to be verified by the Kaduna State Council of Elders.
In addition, the court barred the former governor and his legal team from granting media interviews on the matter pending the conclusion of the trial.
He was also ordered to report monthly to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and to deposit his international passport with the court.
El-Rufai is facing multiple charges across different courts, including allegations of abuse of office, fraud, money laundering, and unlawful possession or conversion of public funds.
In the case before the Federal High Court in Kaduna, he is standing trial on a 10-count charge linked to alleged financial misconduct.
Separately, he is also being prosecuted by the ICPC in another matter involving alleged abuse of office, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage, reportedly involving large sums in naira and foreign currency.
The prosecution had earlier amended the charges, dropping one co-defendant and leaving El-Rufai as the sole defendant in the case, while the court took his plea before adjourning for a ruling on his bail application.
The proceedings have witnessed several delays, including adjournments to allow both prosecution and defence to review amended charges.
El-Rufai had also spent weeks in detention, having been arrested and interrogated by anti-corruption agencies, including the ICPC, after earlier involvement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was at one point granted temporary release on compassionate grounds to attend the burial of his mother before returning to custody.
The case has generated political reactions, with El-Rufai’s allies alleging that the prosecution is politically motivated—claims that have been denied by the ruling establishment.
The former governor, now associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has consistently denied all allegations levelled against him.
With bail now granted under strict conditions, attention is expected to shift to the substantive hearing of the case, as the court prepares to examine evidence and arguments from both sides.
Legal observers say the outcome of the trial could have far-reaching political and legal implications, given the stature of the defendant and the gravity of the charges.
