The Federal High Court in Kaduna has granted bail to former Kaduna state governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in the corruption case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), ordering that he remain in custody pending the fulfilment of bail conditions.
The trial judge, Rilwanu Aikawa, delivered the ruling on Tuesday after previously adjourning the matter from April 1 to April 14, 2026, to consider submissions from both the prosecution and defence.
Justice Aikawa admitted the former governor to bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court directed that the sureties must deposit their international passports, with one required to be a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.
In addition, the court barred the defendant from making public comments on the case and mandated his attendance at all court sittings.
Despite the bail, the court ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody until all conditions are fully met.
Counsel to the former governor, Ubong Akpan, declined to comment when approached by journalists after proceedings.
However, El-Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed that bail had been granted.
Also speaking, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Hayatudeen Lawal Makarfi, corroborated the development, noting that the conditions include financial requirements, landed property and the involvement of a traditional ruler as surety.
He added that the conditions must be met before the former governor can regain his freedom.
Meanwhile, at the Kaduna State High Court, ruling on El-Rufai’s bail application in a separate corruption case instituted by the ICPC has been adjourned to April 21, 2026, prolonging the legal proceedings against him.
