Court Denies Nasir El-Rufai Bail, Adjourns to 2026

On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, denied former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai's bail application, labeling the request as premature. The court, presided over by Justice Joyc Obehi Abdulmalik, adjourned the case until April 23, 2026, indicating that El-Rufai will remain in custody until his formal arraignment.

El-Rufai was not present during the proceedings, which are part of a legal battle involving allegations of corruption linked to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). His legal team, led by Oluwol Iyamu, argued that the search warrant executed at El-Rufai's residence was invalid due to typographical errors.

Additionally, reports emerged that El-Rufai experienced health issues during detention, including a nosebleed, and faced restrictions on food access from family members. The court's ruling signifies a significant development in the ongoing legal challenges faced by the former governor.