Federal High Court grants El-rufai bail

By Damilare Adeleye

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has granted bail to former governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa delivered the ruling on Tuesday following arguments from both the defence and prosecution team.

El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), had argued that bail was a constitutional right and that his client had strong ties within Nigeria, making him unlikely to abscond.

The prosecution opposed the application, citing fears that the former governor could influence witnesses or obstruct ongoing investigations if released.

El-Rufai is facing allegations of financial misconduct, including issues related to deposits into his domiciliary account and the handling of his earnings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Meanwhile, his separate bail application before the Kaduna State High Court remains pending as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, reserved ruling on that application until April 21, 2026.

The former governor was arraigned before the state high court on Monday, April 13, 2026, by operatives of the ICPC, alongside personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS). He is facing an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.

Court documents indicate that one of the key allegations involves the approval of about N11 billion in Kaduna State funds to an unregistered entity for a proposed light rail project that was never executed.

The prosecution also alleged that El-Rufai approved and received N289.8 million as severance allowance, significantly higher than the legally approved entitlement of about N20 million—thereby conferring undue financial benefit on himself.

In another count, he is accused of mismanaging over $1.08 million from a World Bank loan granted to Kaduna State, in violation of the terms governing the facility.

El-Rufai has since denied all the allegations before the courts.