A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has granted bail to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in connection with ongoing corruption charges filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Peak Newspaper reports
The trial judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, admitted the former governor to bail in the sum of ₦200 million with two sureties in like sum, describing the conditions as stringent and far-reaching.
According to the court’s ruling, one of the sureties must be a serving civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler. Both are required to deposit their international passports with the court, alongside other conditions including proof of landed property and compliance with all court appearances.
The court further ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, effectively delaying his release despite the bail approval.
El-Rufai is facing multiple allegations bordering on financial misconduct, including claims of abuse of office, improper handling of public funds, and unlawful financial benefits during his tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023.
One of the key allegations includes the approval of about ₦11 billion for a proposed light rail project that was never executed, as well as the alleged receipt of over ₦289 million as severance allowance, far exceeding the legally approved amount.
The former governor has denied all allegations. Meanwhile, proceedings in a related case before the Kaduna State High Court were adjourned to April 21, 2026, following the inability of the presiding judge to deliver a ruling on a separate bail application.
Security was notably tightened around the court premises during the hearing, reflecting heightened public interest in the high-profile case.
