Court Grants El-Rufai N200 Million Bail with Strict Conditions
Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has granted bail to former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in his ongoing corruption trial. The ruling was delivered after earlier adjournments to thoroughly consider arguments from both the defence and prosecution teams.
Bail Conditions and Requirements
El-Rufai was granted bail in the substantial sum of N200 million, with two sureties required to match this amount. The court imposed specific conditions: one surety must be a senior civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler. Additionally, the sureties are mandated to deposit their international passports with the court as a further guarantee.
The court also issued a direct order to El-Rufai, compelling him to attend all court sittings without fail and strictly refrain from making any public comments about the case. This restriction aims to prevent any potential interference with the judicial process or influence on public opinion.
Current Custody and Charges
Despite the bail grant, the former governor will remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) until all bail conditions are fully met and verified. This ensures compliance with the court's directives before his release.
El-Rufai is facing multiple serious charges linked to alleged financial misconduct, abuse of office, and mismanagement of public funds during his tenure as governor. The trial continues as the court monitors adherence to the bail terms and prepares for further proceedings.
