Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is set to remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the fulfilment of bail conditions set by the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The development follows a ruling by Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, who granted bail to the former governor in an ongoing corruption case instituted by the ICPC. However, the court ordered that El-Rufai must remain in custody until all stipulated conditions are fully met.
Although the details of the bail terms were not exhaustively outlined in open court, a close associate of the former governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hayatudeen Lawal Makarfi, described the conditions as “excessive and burdensome.”
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Makarfi alleged that the bail requirements included multiple landed properties, a ₦200 million bond, and other conditions linked to El-Rufai’s personal status and guarantees.
“The bail conditions are many, from landed properties to N200 million… and so many conditions, numbering almost ten or more,” he said, expressing concern over what he described as the severity of the court’s decision.
The ruling has drawn attention within political circles, given El-Rufai’s prominence as a former state governor and a key figure in national politics. The case is being closely watched, particularly due to its implications for anti-corruption enforcement and political accountability in Nigeria.
The ICPC has not issued an additional statement following the court’s ruling, and further details regarding the alleged offences remain limited in official disclosures.
Legal observers note that it is common for Nigerian courts to grant bail subject to stringent conditions in high-profile corruption cases, particularly where the accused is considered to have significant resources or influence. Such conditions are typically designed to ensure attendance in court proceedings and prevent interference with ongoing investigations.
El-Rufai’s legal team is expected to move to fulfil the bail requirements in order to secure his release from custody, though no official timeline has been confirmed.
The case is expected to continue at the Federal High Court in Kaduna in the coming weeks as arguments proceed and the ICPC presents its evidence.
For now, the former governor remains in detention, with his release contingent on compliance with the court’s bail directives.
