- The court specified that the defendant must stay in ICPC detention until all requirements are met
- Justice Aikawa also instructed El-Rufai to avoid making public statements about the case and to be present at all court hearings
- He reiterated that El-Rufai would remain in custody until all conditions are fulfilled
Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday approved bail for former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following corruption charges brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Despite granting bail, Eko Hot Blog gathered that the court directed that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody until he satisfies all the conditions attached to his release.
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In his ruling, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa set bail at ₦200 million and required two sureties who must each provide the same amount. He emphasized that the terms were stringent and far-reaching.
The court specified that the defendant must stay in ICPC detention until all requirements are met. Among the conditions, both sureties must submit their international passports.
Additionally, one surety must be a civil servant of at least Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognized traditional ruler.
Justice Aikawa also instructed El-Rufai to avoid making public statements about the case and to be present at all court hearings.
His lawyer, Ubong Akpan (SAN), chose not to speak to journalists after the ruling. However, El-Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed that bail had been granted.
A senior member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hayatudeen Makarfi, also verified the development, noting that the bail terms include financial obligations, proof of landed property, and a traditional ruler serving as one of the sureties.
He reiterated that El-Rufai would remain in custody until all conditions are fulfilled.
Meanwhile, a separate but related case at the Kaduna State High Court experienced a delay earlier the same day.
The presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, postponed a decision on El-Rufai’s bail request until April 21, 2026, citing an inability to deliver the ruling as scheduled.
El-Rufai had been arraigned on March 18, 2026, alongside Amadu Sule, Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited. However, the charges were later revised, removing Sule from the case and leaving El-Rufai as the only defendant.
Speaking after the adjournment, Akpan explained that the delay was due to unforeseen circumstances, noting that the judge had been bereaved and unable to complete the ruling.
He also criticized the ICPC for pursuing multiple legal actions against his client simultaneously, with proceedings now taking place in both state and federal courts.
Following the state court session, El-Rufai was taken to the Federal High Court, where he faced a separate 10-count charge before Justice Aikawa.
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