Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Bail Hearing Amid Tight Security

The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, until Wednesday.

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The proceedings took place under heavy security as public interest continued to grow in the high-profile corruption case.

Counsel to the former governor, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed the development to Punch shortly after the court session but declined to provide further details.

“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,” he said.

After the court session, El-Rufai was escorted out of the court premises by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in a white Hilux vehicle.

El-Rufai is standing trial 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 former governor was brought to court after spending over a month in detention, a development that has attracted widespread public attention.

The court had earlier fixed March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including the bail request.

However, the anti-graft agency released him on March 27, 2026, on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.

Earlier on Tuesday, the former governor was also arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on separate charges.

At the state court, he was docked alongside Amadu Sule over allegations including abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

The charges were also filed by the anti-corruption commission, but are distinct from the case before the Federal High Court.

Following the proceedings at the state court, El-Rufai was moved to the Federal High Court within the same premises for continuation of the hearing on his bail application.

With Tuesday’s adjournment, the court is expected to resume hearing on El-Rufai’s bail application on Wednesday.