Court defers ruling on El-Rufai’s bail till July 1

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The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday adjourned until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the bail applications filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal, in an alleged corruption case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

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El-Rufai, who appeared before two separate courts in Kaduna on Wednesday, is facing charges relating to alleged abuse of office, financial impropriety and money laundering.

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At the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, the immediate past governor, Lawal, a former special adviser during the El-Rufai administration, and several corporate entities were arraigned on an amended 11-count charge.

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El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to Count One, while Lawal pleaded not guilty to Counts Six, Seven and Eight.

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A corporate entity, Singularity Network Security Limited, was arraigned on Counts Two, Three, Four, Five, Nine, Ten and Eleven.

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In all, El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities are standing trial as defendants in the matter.

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During Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for El-Rufai and the second defendant informed the court of pending bail applications.

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After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence, Justice Buhari adjourned until July 1, 2026, for ruling on the applications.

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Earlier, El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at about 9:30 a.m. amid tight security as proceedings resumed in the high-profile case.

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In a related development, the former governor also appeared before the Kaduna State High Court for the continuation of hearing in another case filed by the ICPC.

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The case before Justice Darius Khobo borders on allegations of abuse of office and money laundering allegedly committed during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023.

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Justice Khobo subsequently adjourned the matter until June 29, 2026, for further hearing.

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The Federal High Court matter had earlier been adjourned to June 24 following the absence of two co-defendants at the previous sitting.

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El-Rufai has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that actions taken during his administration were lawful and in the public interest.

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The ICPC, however, alleged that investigations uncovered irregularities in the handling of government funds and the award of contracts, resulting in the alleged diversion and misapplication of public resources.

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The PUNCH had reported that on April 14, 2026, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties, one of whom must be a serving or retired civil servant on Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.

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The former governor later applied for a variation of the bail conditions, but the application was declined by the court.

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The ICPC had arraigned El-Rufai alongside two former senior Kaduna State Government officials on multiple counts bordering on alleged conspiracy, abuse of office and unlawful financial dealings. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

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The trial has continued to attract public attention due to El-Rufai’s prominence in national politics and his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

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