Court grants El-Rufai N200m bail in ICPC case

Two separate court sittings held on Tuesday in Kaduna, one at the Federal High Court and another at the Kaduna State High Court, both involving bail proceedings relating to El-Rufai.

At the Federal High Court, the former governor was granted bail, while the State High Court adjourined its own hearing on the bail application to April 21, 2026.

Details of the bail conditions granted by the Federal High Court include a ₦200 million bail bond with two sureties. One of the sureties is required to provide a Certificate of Occupancy for landed property, while the other must be a respected elder in Kaduna State, verified by the Kaduna State Council of Elders.

The court also ordered that El-Rufai and his counsel must not grant interviews pending the conclusion of the trial.

In addition, he is to report to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on the first day of every month and deposit his passport with the court.

Meanwhile, proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court did not conclude on Tuesday as the matter was adjourned to April 21, 2026.

There was a heavy security presence at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday as El-Rufai appeared for the ruling on his bail application.

The court, presided over by Justice Rilwan Aikawa, witnessed restricted movement around its premises, with security operatives stationed at strategic points to maintain order.

The court had fixed Tuesday for the ruling on El-Rufai’s bail application in connection with the new charges against him.

Earlier, El-Rufai had appeared before the Kaduna State High Court at about 9:00 a.m., which was his first point of call for the day.

However, proceedings did not progress as expected, as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned ruling on the bail application to April 21.

Also Read: DSS takes El-Rufai to detention as court fixes bail hearing

The ICPC on Monday arraigned El-Rufai before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court 5 on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering.

The arraignment, which took place on Monday, followed an amendment of the original charge filed by the Commission.

ICPC prosecution counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, told the court that the amended charge now separates the previously joint case involving El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Amadu Sule.

According to the ICPC, the amendment became necessary due to the continued absence of the second defendant, Amadu Sule, who was reported to be unavailable in court on account of a medical condition.

Following the development, the court granted the application for amendment, allowing the prosecution to proceed with the arraignment of El-Rufai independent of the second defendant.

Mallam El-Rufai was subsequently arraigned on nine amended charges which allege various infractions under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017, and Kaduna State Public Procurement Law, 2017.

Upon the reading of the charges, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State pleaded not guilty to all nine charges.