Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Bail Bid
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ruling that the gravity of a nine-count charge against him and credible fears of witness interference were sufficient grounds to deny his release pending trial.
Justice D.H. Khobo of the Kaduna Judicial Division delivered the ruling on April 21, 2026, in Charge No: KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/2026, a case filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai had approached the court on March 25, 2026, seeking bail on self-recognisance or on liberal terms. His application, anchored on Sections 35(4) and 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and provisions of the Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2017, contended that the offences were non-capital and therefore attracted a presumption in favour of bail. He further argued that his community ties, fixed addresses, and substantial assets eliminated any meaningful flight risk.
The former governor also told the court that he voluntarily returned from Egypt on February 16, 2026, to honour an EFCC invitation — a fact he presented as evidence of good faith. He additionally challenged the amended charge as “fundamentally defective” and “unintelligible,” and raised health concerns requiring specialist medical attention.
The ICPC, opposing the application through a nine-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by one Idris Abubakar, described the offences as “economically sabotaging” and maintained that El-Rufai posed a flight risk. The agency also alleged that he was likely to interfere with witnesses and investigations involving other suspects still at large.
Critically, the ICPC cited an alleged incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on February 12, 2026, where El-Rufai allegedly obstructed law enforcement officers. The agency also dismissed his medical claims, noting the absence of any supporting medical report.
Justice Khobo sided with the prosecution. In his ruling, the judge stated that “the interest of justice is best served by ensuring the Applicant remains available for an accelerated trial,” given the gravity of the charges and the prosecution’s credible concerns about interference with ongoing investigations. On the health argument, the court held that El-Rufai “failed to provide sufficient medical evidence to justify the grant of bail on health grounds.”
The court consequently ruled: “The Defendant/Applicant’s application for bail pending trial fails and is hereby REFUSED,” directing that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody pending the commencement of trial.
Justice Khobo fixed June 1, 2, 3, and 4, 2026, for day-to-day hearings, following an agreement between prosecution and defence counsel on an accelerated schedule.
El-Rufai remains in ICPC detention as the substantive trial approaches.