Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Bail Application to March 31

The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the bail application hearing for former governor Nasir el-Rufai until March 31. El-Rufai was arraigned before the court on Tuesday on charges brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) related to the alleged conversion of public property and money laundering.

The former governor was brought to the court premises by security operatives at approximately 9:00 am. He remained inside a Hilux vehicle for about 25 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom. In anticipation of the hearing, security personnel were deployed throughout the court premises.

During the proceedings, el-Rufai’s counsel, Ukpon Akpan, requested that the court grant his client bail to adequately prepare his defense. However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that granting bail could potentially obstruct the commission’s ongoing investigation.

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Separately, he has filed a fundamental rights suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the search of his residence by the ICPC and the remand order issued against him.