From Victor Osula, Abuja
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in a corruption case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, followed proceedings in which the court considered arguments from both the prosecution and the defence regarding the bail application.
The court subsequently granted bail with stringent conditions, including a ₦200 million bond with two sureties in like sum. The sureties are to include a recognised traditional ruler and a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15.
Other conditions include the submission of landed property documents, deposit of international passports with the court, and a restriction on public comments relating to the case, among others.
However, El-Rufai is expected to remain in ICPC custody until he meets all bail conditions set by the court.
At the heart of the case are allegations bordering on abuse of office, conspiracy, money laundering, and alleged diversion of public funds, all of which the former governor has denied.
During proceedings, El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), urged the court to admit his client to bail on constitutional grounds, arguing that the former governor posed no flight risk and had strong ties within Nigeria.
The defence maintained that El-Rufai had cooperated with investigators and should not be subjected to continued detention pending the determination of the substantive charge.
The ICPC opposed the application, arguing that granting bail at this stage could undermine the prosecution, particularly over concerns that the defendant might interfere with witnesses or obstruct ongoing investigations. After considering arguments from both sides, the court granted bail.
The ICPC’s 10-count charge, filed on March 18, 2026, centres on allegations that in 2016 the former governor induced the Kaduna State Government to approve about ₦11 billion in favour of Indokaduna MRTS JV Nigeria Limited for a light rail project allegedly not executed.
He is also accused of approving severance benefits totalling about ₦289.8 million, allegedly above the legally permitted threshold of ₦20 million, as well as involvement in the alleged diversion of over $1 million from a World Bank loan facility.
The commission further alleges attempts to obstruct investigations through interference with federal investigators during an ongoing probe.
El-Rufai has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied any wrongdoing, repeatedly describing the case as politically motivated.
His legal troubles began with his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026, followed by a brief release on bail before he was subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC and held in custody.
He spent over a month in detention before his first court appearance. His detention was briefly interrupted on March 27, 2026, when he was released on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt, before being returned to custody after burial.
The proceedings have also been marked by procedural disputes, including a withdrawn motion by the defence seeking the recusal of Justice Rilwan Aikawa over allegations of bias.
Beyond the Federal High Court case, El-Rufai is also facing separate charges at the Kaduna State High Court involving allegations of abuse of office, fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
In that matter, the ICPC recently amended its charges and successfully removed a co-defendant, leaving the former governor as the sole accused person.
His legal team is also expected to appear in another Federal High Court matter in Abuja involving the Department of State Services (DSS), further widening the scope of his ongoing legal exposure across multiple jurisdictions.
Reacting to the development, a statement circulated by his supporters under the “El-Rufai Live” platform described the bail ruling as a positive step, expressing confidence in his eventual exoneration while raising concerns over what it termed delays in the justice process.
The statement, however, reflects the position of his supporters and not that of the court.
Shortly after the ruling, confirmation of the bail decision was also given by a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as well as his son, Bello El-Rufai.
