El-Rufai to remain in custody till June

A Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday denied bail to the state’s former governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned further proceedings in El-Rufai’s trial to the first week of June 2026 after hearing arguments from counsel. The case is expected to continue on a day-to-day basis at the next sitting. The Independent […]

A Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday denied bail to the state’s former governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned further proceedings in El-Rufai’s trial to the first week of June 2026 after hearing arguments from counsel.

The case is expected to continue on a day-to-day basis at the next sitting.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned El-Rufai on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.

The former governor had appeared before the court on April 14, 2026, for the hearing of his bail application, but the ruling was reserved until April 21, 2026.

Last week, a Federal High Court in Kaduna granted him bail in a separate corruption case filed by the ICPC.

Justice Rilwanu Aikawa admitted him to bail in the sum of N200 million and ordered that he remain in ICPC custody pending the fulfilment of the conditions.

Among the conditions, El-Rufai is barred from making public comments on the case and must attend all court sittings.

Speaking with journalists after Tuesday’s session, defence counsel, Ubong Akpan (SAN), expressed dissatisfaction with Justice Khobo’s ruling, particularly the refusal to grant El-Rufai bail.

“The court, in its wisdom, held that because Nasir El-Rufai is a former governor, he may interfere with the investigation and is therefore not entitled to bail in an allegation of financial impropriety,” he said.

He added, “We are grateful to His Lordship for the learning he has shown, but we respectfully disagree.”

Akpan said the defence team would challenge the decision through appropriate legal channels.

“The next step is to take the necessary legal action to contest it. The matter has been adjourned to the first week of June for day-to-day hearing,” he said.

He maintained that the charges against his client were politically motivated.

“From the outset, everything about Nasir El-Rufai’s travails has been political. This is the legal dimension of it. We will respond accordingly,” he said.

On the prosecution’s filings, he said, “Their documents do not carry political labels. They are legal processes, and we will respond as required by law.”

Earlier, Akpan had addressed a crowd of El-Rufai’s supporters at the court premises, many of whom appeared visibly distressed, with some in tears.

“All of you are acting as if someone has died. Nobody has died. At times, things may not go your way in a struggle, but do not be afraid. Stand firm. We will pursue this matter, and we will prevail,” he told El-Rufai’s supporters.

Daily Trust observed that several supporters wore sombre expressions following the adjournment.

 

Charges against El-Rufai

In the amended charges, the ICPC accused El-Rufai of multiple infractions allegedly committed during his tenure in office.

The nine-count charge includes allegations that El-Rufai induced the Kaduna State Government to release about N11 billion to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was never executed.

The commission also alleged that the former governor approved and received approximately N289.8 million as severance allowance—far above the legally entitled sum of about N20 million—thereby conferring a corrupt advantage on himself.

In another count, El-Rufai is accused of mismanaging over $1.08 million, part of a World Bank loan to the state, in violation of the loan agreement.

The ICPC further alleged that he conspired with an associate, who is reportedly at large, to offer monetary inducements to federal investigators in an attempt to compromise an ongoing investigation involving a private firm.

Other charges include the alleged unlawful award of a N4.6 billion CCTV contract in the Kaduna metropolis in breach of procurement laws, as well as conferring undue advantage on an associate through the same contract.

The commission also accused the former governor of abuse of office in land-related matters, including the revocation and reallocation of a parcel of land along the Kaduna–Zaria bypass to benefit an associate and related companies.

He was further accused of criminal breach of trust in respect of the same property.

El-Rufai has, however, denied all the allegations against him.

The former governor has been in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was, however, temporarily released on March 27 on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s burial.

A Kaduna-based legal practitioner, Barrister El Zubair Abubakar, has explained that the granting of bail remains at the discretion of the court, stressing that such discretion must be exercised judiciously and without bias.

He added that while constitutional and statutory provisions empower judges to grant bail, these powers must be balanced with the defendant’s rights. “In the end, bail is at the discretion of the court,” he said.

He explained that where a court refuses bail, the defendant has the right to challenge the decision.

Abubakar said since the decision was taken by a high court, the appropriate step is to approach a higher court, adding that the appellate court would determine “whether the judge was right in holding that he will interfere with the investigation.”

Abubakar said if bail is granted at the appellate level, the court would order it accordingly, but if denied, the defendant could proceed to the Supreme Court.

Also, a Gombe-based lawyer, Adam Abdulkadir, said Nigeria’s legal architecture is deliberately designed to ensure that an accused person remains free pending trial, except where compelling reasons justify temporary restraint.

He said, “Ultimately, the El-Rufai trial is more than a legal battle; it is a test of Nigeria’s commitment to uphold the rights of its citizens. The judiciary must rise above political influence and reaffirm its role as the guardian of justice. Anything less would be a betrayal of the ideals of freedom and fairness upon which the nation stands.”

 

Sowore faults court’s decision

Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has faulted the court’s decision to deny El-Rufai bail.

In a post on X, Sowore said: “I will never support the LAWFARE being waged against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

“Let the courts uphold the rule of law by granting him bail and ensuring he receives a fair trial.

“Bail is a constitutional right, not a tool for punishment or intimidation.

“Using bail as a means of caging Nigerians is unjust, unlawful, and unacceptable. It is a practice we must all reject, regardless of who is involved.”

 

Barring journalists from court proceedings unconstitutional – Lawyers

Since the commencement of El-Rufai’s trial, the media have been shut out of coverage, with journalists now relying on briefings from counsel to both sides after each proceeding.

The development has drawn sharp criticism from lawyers and activists, who say barring journalists from covering El-Rufai’s trial is against constitutional provisions.

Richard Akinnola, a lawyer and activist, said: “Any judge or magistrate that prevents a journalist from accessing his or her court is acting unconstitutionally, except the matter before the court falls under exceptions as stated in the constitution, where the press could be prevented from coverage as provided for in Section 36(4)(a)(b).

“Therefore, save for the exception made in Section 254 of the constitution, a journalist is at liberty to cover judicial proceedings, and such a reporter does not need any special permission from the judge or security agencies.

“El-Rufai is facing corruption charges, like any former public official, not terrorism charges. The relevant media bodies need to take this up with the court in Kaduna.”

Another lawyer, Barrister Abdulrahman Y. Abdulkadir, also criticised security agencies for restricting journalists from covering court proceedings, describing such actions as unconstitutional.

Abdulkadir said courtrooms in Nigeria are public spaces where citizens, including journalists, have the right to observe proceedings without discrimination.

“I don’t see any constitutional provision that specifically states that pressmen should be prevented from this,” he said.