Court Grants Bail to Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Amid Charges

The Federal High Court has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as he faces ongoing corruption charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). The court's decision follows a heavily secured proceeding, reflecting the high-profile nature of the case.

The bail conditions have not yet been disclosed. The prosecution introduced amended charges against El-Rufai, which significantly altered the structure of the initial case.

His defense counsel, Ubong Akpan, expressed surprise at the lack of prior notice regarding the new charges. The court has adjourned the case to April 14, 2026, for a hearing on the bail application.

The allegations against El-Rufai include approving the release of N11 billion for an unregistered company related to a light rail project and receiving N289.8 million in allowances above legal limits, among other accusations. El-Rufai has denied all allegations, asserting that he acted within the law during his tenure.