The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai’s, bail application to Wednesday. The adjournment comes as El-Rufai faces multiple corruption charges in both the Federal and Kaduna State High Courts.
El-Rufai was arraigned before the two courts on Tuesday over allegations of corruption, including conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering. Journalists were denied access to cover the proceedings in both courts.
Following the Federal High Court sitting, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ukpong Akpan (SAN), confirmed the adjournment but declined to give further details, saying, “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.”
After the proceedings, operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) escorted El-Rufai from the court premises in a white Hilux vehicle. The former governor had returned to court amid tight security for the bail hearing, mirroring the high-security measures during his arraignment last week.
El-Rufai faces a 10-count charge before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa at the Federal High Court, including alleged conversion of public property, possession of same, and money laundering. He had spent over a month in detention prior to being produced in court, drawing significant public attention.
The court had initially scheduled March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request. However, El-Rufai was released on March 27, 2026, on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.
Separately, El-Rufai was arraigned earlier on Tuesday at the Kaduna State High Court in Kawo on distinct charges, alongside one Amadu Sule, over allegations ranging from abuse of office and fraud to conferring undue advantage. Both sets of charges were instituted by the ICPC.
With Tuesday’s adjournment, the hearing of El-Rufai’s bail application is now set to continue on Wednesday.
Ademide Adebayo
