SDP crisis: El-Rufai in court as loyalists secure bail over trespass

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday attended the proceedings at the Magistrate Court in Karu, Abuja, for the bail hearing of his loyalists in the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The five allies, arraigned on charges of alleged joint act, criminal trespass, theft, inciting public disturbance, and mischief, were granted bail after being remanded […]

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday attended the proceedings at the Magistrate Court in Karu, Abuja, for the bail hearing of his loyalists in the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The five allies, arraigned on charges of alleged joint act, criminal trespass, theft, inciting public disturbance, and mischief, were granted bail after being remanded in prison custody.

They include the FCT SDP chairman, Nurudeen Bissallah; his deputy, Humphrey Onwukaeze; the party’s national youth leader, Eluwa Henry; national legal adviser, Solsuema Osaro; and national secretary and former SDP chairman in Cross River State, Ekpenyong Ambo. All had been in custody at the Keffi Correctional Centre since Monday.

The arraignment by the Commissioner of Police followed a disputed National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held at the SDP National Secretariat, located at 17 Nairobi Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

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Ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Ahmad Bala Ndajowa ordered the defendants to produce a sum of N2 million bail bond and one surety in like sum.

The magistrate further ordered that the sureties must be resident in the FCT with a verifiable address and must swear to an affidavit of means.

“The offences are bailable, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” he said.

Earlier, defence counsel, Barrister Ubong Akpan, described the arrest and detention of his clients as an abuse of legal process, as there was no investigation or credible evidence supporting the charges brought by the police.

Akpan said the defendants had requested police protection and received approval to use the venue, and wondered why they were later charged with trespass, adding that the action was politically motivated.

Speaking after the bail ruling, Bisala described the arrest as part of a wider plot to frustrate reformist elements within the party.

“There is no real freedom as long as you are in politics, but we are not deterred,” he told Daily Trust. “Our NEC meeting was legal. We followed the constitution, informed the police, and got clearance. Thirteen officers were assigned to us.”

He said the group was prepared for what he called “the beginning of the war,” pledging to defend the legitimacy of the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC).

“This crisis will not affect our plans for 2027. By the end of 2025, all issues would have been resolved,” he said.

Meanwhile, the court has fixed the matter for hearing on August 11.