Court Denies El-Rufai Bail Application in Abuja

On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja declined to hear the bail application of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State. The court ruled that El-Rufai is not yet in custody, which made the bail application premature.

The lead counsel for the prosecution, Oluwol Aladeloy SAN, informed the court that the defendant was not in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The defense counsel, Oluwol Iyamu SAN, argued that the issue of bail was premature due to El-Rufai's absence from court.

Justice Joyc Abdulmalik upheld the argument presented by the DSS, stating that the defendant had not been formally arraigned. The judge adjourned the case until April 23, allowing the DSS to coordinate with the ICPC to produce El-Rufai in court.

The DSS has filed three counts against El-Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting telephone communications, in violation of the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003.