El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody as Court grants stringent bail conditions
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been returned to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission after he appeared in court on Tuesday.
He was brought before the Kaduna State High Court for the hearing of his bail request in a case involving a nine-count charge. The case was later adjourned to Tuesday, 21 April 2026, as the court postponed further hearing of the application.
Court proceedings were held inside the courtroom without journalists, as members of the press were not allowed to enter during the session. The matter is linked to allegations of fraud and abuse of office brought against the former governor.
Before this court sitting, the anti-corruption agency had already changed its charges against him. The amendment removed the second defendant, Amadu Suleiman, who is the Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited, from the case.
The agency explained in court that the earlier joint charge was adjusted because Suleiman had not been available and was said to be away for medical reasons.
The court accepted the request and allowed the case to continue only against El-Rufai.
After the changes, the former governor was re-arraigned on nine counts under several laws, including the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, the Advance Fee Fraud Act, the Kaduna State Penal Code, and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law.
The court thereafter admitted the defendant to bail under stringent terms, including a N200 million bond with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties must comprise a recognised traditional ruler and a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15. Additional conditions include the submission of verifiable landed property documents, surrender of international passports to the court, and a bar on public commentary on the matter, among others.
