Court Grants El-Rufai ₦200 Million Bail In Corruption Case

The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in a corruption case filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The court, however, ordered that the former governor remain in the custody of the anti-graft agency pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa admitted El-Rufai to bail in the sum of N200m with two sureties in like sum.

The judge described the conditions attached to the bail as “strict and extensive.”

According to the court, El-Rufai must remain in ICPC custody until the bail requirements are fully met. As part of the conditions, the sureties are required to deposit their international passports with the court.

The judge also ruled that one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the second must be a recognised traditional ruler.

Justice Aikawa further directed that the former governor must refrain from making public comments relating to the case and must attend all court proceedings.

Counsel to El-Rufai, Ubong Akpan (SAN), declined to comment when approached by journalists shortly after the ruling.

However, El-Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed that the former governor had been granted bail.

ADC Chieftain Confirms Development

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hayatudeen Makarfi, also confirmed the development, noting that the bail conditions include financial requirements, landed property documentation and a recognised traditional ruler as surety.

He added that El-Rufai would remain in ICPC custody until the bail conditions are fully satisfied.

Separate Case Ongoing In Kaduna Court

Earlier on Tuesday, proceedings in a related matter at the Kaduna State High Court were stalled after the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned ruling on El-Rufai’s bail application to April 21, 2026.

The adjournment followed the judge’s inability 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.

However, the prosecution later amended the charges, removing Sule from the case and leaving El-Rufai as the sole defendant.

Speaking after the adjournment, Akpan said the delay in the state court ruling was due 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.

“So the ruling has been adjourned to Tuesday next week. The ruling on the motion for bail. So, fingers crossed,” he said.

Akpan also accused the ICPC of engaging in phased litigation against his client, noting that proceedings were now ongoing in both 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.

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