April 14, 2026 | NEWS | SUNTV GLOBAL INVESTIGATION
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been granted bail by a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, with strict conditions including a ban on media interviews as his corruption trial unfolds.
The court, presided over by Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, approved a ₦200 million bail bond with two sureties. One must present a valid Certificate of Occupancy for landed property, while the other must be a recognised elder vetted by the Kaduna State Council of Elders.
In a significant restriction, the court ordered that El-Rufai and his legal team must not grant any media interviews throughout the duration of the trial. He was also directed to surrender his international passport and report monthly to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Meanwhile, a separate bail application before the Kaduna State High Court, presided over by Justice Darius Khobo, has been adjourned to April 21, 2026, prolonging legal uncertainty around the former governor.
Tuesday’s proceedings saw heavy security deployment around the court premises, reflecting the high-profile nature of the case and growing public interest.
El-Rufai had earlier appeared before the State High Court in the morning, but the hearing was postponed before proceedings could advance.
The former governor is currently facing a nine-count amended charge filed by the ICPC, bordering on allegations including advance fee fraud, money laundering, and violations of procurement laws.
According to prosecutors, the charges were revised after his co-defendant, Amadu Sule, was removed from the case due to health-related absence, leaving El-Rufai to face trial alone.
Upon arraignment, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all charges.
As the case moves forward, attention remains fixed on the courts, with many watching closely to see how one of Nigeria’s most high-profile political trials will unfold.
