Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has granted the former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, bail.
The former governor is being charged for alleged financial misconduct, including deposits into his domiciliary account and how his earnings were handled by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
However, El-Rufai’s bail application was stalled at the Kaduna State High Court, as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, has reserved ruling on the bail application for April 21, 2026.
Counsel to the defendant, Ubong Akpan, who addressed journalists after the proceedings at the state high court, which lasted less than 30 minutes, said the matter was adjourned to April 21, 2026, because the trial judge, Darius Khobo, was bereaved and unable to prepare the ruling.
“His lordship was bereaved, and he was unable to put the ruling together. So, we understand these things happen. The ruling has been adjourned to Tuesday next week, April 21, 2026, on the motion for bail,” he said.
“So, fingers crossed, gentlemen. We are heading to the federal court, which is stage two of the theatre of operations, as the ICPC has decided to charge us in phases.
“So, maybe plant quarantine will join the charge and charge us for importing plants from Egypt. Since the ICPC has decided that it will charge us in different arenas.
“We are expecting other ones from the Customary Court and the Native Court, and then maybe charges by plant quarantine. Since everybody is looking for El-Rufai’s hype. Have a lovely day, gentlemen.”
The former governor is being arraigned before the state high court on multiple charges bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office levelled against him by the ICPC.
El-Rufai was brought before the state court on Monday, April 13, 2026, by ICPC operatives and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS). He is facing an amended nine-count charge after the prosecution reviewed its initial filing.
According to documents from the Kaduna State High Court, one of the key allegations is that the former governor authorised the release of about ₦11 billion from Kaduna State funds to an unregistered entity for a proposed light rail project that was never executed.
The prosecution also accused El-Rufai of approving and receiving ₦289.8 million as severance allowance, an amount said to be far above the legally approved entitlement of about ₦20 million, thereby conferring undue financial benefit on himself.
In another count, he is alleged to have mismanaged over $1.08 million, part of a World Bank loan granted to Kaduna State, in contravention of the terms governing the facility.
During the court session on Monday, the defence team, led by Barrister Akpan, raised concerns over the late service of the amended charges, noting that they were only made available in court.
This development led the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, to adjourn to allow the defence adequate time to review the new filings.
