…Returns to ICPC custody.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday again adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Mal. Nasir El-Rufai, till Wednesday.
El-Rufai was arraigned before both the Kaduna State and Federal High Courts on Tuesday over multiple charges, including allegations of corruption.
Unlawfully, Journalists were again barred from having access to court for the coverage of the cases of the former governor, which came up in Kaduna State.
However, the Counsel to the Ex-Governor, Ukpong Akpan (SAN), declined to provide detailed comments on the proceedings after the Federal High Court sitting, but confirmed that the case was adjourned till Wednesday, when El-Rufai’s bail application will be heard.
He said, “I’m sorry, I can’t talk now; we are in the middle of work. I have to go, and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow.”
El-Rufai was subsequently taken away from the court premises by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in a white Hilux vehicle.
Earlier, the former governor had returned to the Federal High Court amid tight security for the hearing of his bail application in an ongoing corruption trial.
The heavy security presence mirrored the situation during his arraignment last week, when he was first brought before the court.
El-Rufai had been arraigned before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering. The court had fixed March 31st 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
However, on March 27, 2026, the ICPC released him on compassionate grounds, following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.
Besides, in a related development, El-Rufai was earlier on Tuesday arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on separate charges.
At the State High Court, he was docked alongside one Amadu Sule on allegations ranging from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage. The charges, also instituted by the ICPC, are distinct from those before the Federal High Court.
After the State High Court proceedings, the commission moved El-Rufai to the Federal High Court, located within the same premises.
With the adjournment, proceedings on the bail application are now expected to continue this Wednesday.