- Photo : El-Rufai at the court premises
By: Daniel Kanu
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to March 31, 2026, ordering that he remain in custody pending the determination of the application.
The adjournment followed arguments presented on Tuesday by both the defence and prosecution shortly after the former governor was formally arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and corruption-related offences.
El-Rufai, who has been in detention for 33 days, was brought before the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is prosecuting the case.
During the proceedings, defence counsel, Ukpon Akpan, urged the court to grant bail to his client, citing his constitutional right to liberty and the need to adequately prepare his defence. He also argued that El-Rufai is a public figure with a known address and is unlikely to abscond.
However, counsel to the ICPC opposed the application, maintaining that the charges are heavy and involve substantial public funds.
The prosecution further argued that granting bail at this stage could hinder ongoing investigations and potentially expose witnesses to interference.
Justice presiding over the matter subsequently adjourned the bail ruling to March 31 and ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody until then.
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/KD/73/2026 and dated March 18, 2026, the anti-corruption agency accused El-Rufai of unlawfully receiving a total of N579 million as severance allowance in two tranches—N289.8 million each in September 2020 and January 2023—far exceeding the legally approved entitlement of about N20 million.
The ICPC alleged that the former governor ought reasonably to have known that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful acts, thereby violating provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Observers say the case is likely to test Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework, particularly regarding accountability for former public office holders.
Legal analysts also note that the outcome of the bail application could shape the pace and direction of the trial.
The matter has been adjourned to March 31 for ruling on the bail application, with substantive hearing expected to follow thereafter.
