Bail granted, freedom uncertain: Why El-Rufai could remain in detention

A Federal High Court in Kaduna has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the corruption case filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Justice Rilwanu Aikawa delivered the ruling on Tuesday after previously adjourning the matter from April 1 to April 14, 2026, to consider submissions from both the prosecution and defence.

The court admitted El-Rufai to bail in the sum of N200 million but ordered that he remain in ICPC custody until all bail conditions are fully met.

Among the conditions imposed, the former governor is barred from making public comments on the case and must attend all court sittings.

Speaking after the proceedings, Hayatudeen Lawal Makarfi, an associate of El-Rufai, disclosed that the court listed about 10 bail conditions, including the provision of a surety with landed property and a recognised traditional title.

El-Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai, also confirmed the development and welcomed the ruling.

Earlier the same day, the former governor appeared before the Kaduna State High Court in another criminal matter, but the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned ruling on his bail application to April 21, 2026.

The ICPC had on Monday arraigned El-Rufai on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, abuse of office, and corrupt enrichment during his tenure as governor.

The anti-graft agency dropped his former co-defendant, Amadu Sule, from the amended charge.

According to the charges, the commission accused El-Rufai of inducing the Kaduna State Government to release about N11 billion to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was never executed.

He was also accused of approving and receiving about N289.8 million as severance allowance, far above the legally approved entitlement of roughly N20 million.

Another count alleged that he mismanaged over $1.08 million from a World Bank loan granted to the state, contrary to the terms of the facility.

The ICPC further alleged that he conspired with an associate still at large to offer inducements to federal investigators in an attempt to compromise an ongoing probe.

Other allegations include the unlawful award of a N4.6 billion CCTV contract in Kaduna metropolis in breach of procurement laws, abuse of office in land matters, and criminal breach of trust.

El-Rufai has denied all allegations brought against him.

He has remained in ICPC custody since February 19 after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), although he was temporarily released on March 27 on compassionate grounds to attend his mother’s burial.

Reacting to the ruling, Bello El-Rufai thanked supporters, journalists, and the legal team, while urging the media to separate public opinion from legal facts.

“We are, of course, happy that he has been granted bail today,” he said.

He added that the legal team would address detailed questions, while expressing confidence in the rule of law and the judicial process.

Meanwhile, Kaduna-based lawyer Barrister El Zubair Abubakar explained that El-Rufai may remain in custody despite securing bail because he is facing two separate criminal cases in different courts.

According to him, bail granted by the Federal High Court applies only to that matter, while the separate case before the Kaduna State High Court remains unresolved.

“In reality, he will not be released yet because he is facing another trial in a different court that has not granted bail,” the lawyer said.

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