Federal High Court Grants El-Rufai Bail

Nasir El-Rufai was granted bail by Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna State. The former governor is being charged for alleged financial misconduct, including deposits into his domiciliary account and how his earnings were handled by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai is being arraigned before the Kaduna State High Court on multiple charges bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office levelled against him by the ICPC. He was brought before the state court on Monday, April 13, 2026, by ICPC operatives and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS). He is facing an amended nine-count charge after the prosecution reviewed its initial filing. One of the key allegations is that the former governor authorised the release of about ₦11 billion from Kaduna State funds to an unregistered entity for a proposed light rail project that was never executed. The prosecution also accused El-Rufai of approving and receiving ₦289.8 million as severance allowance, an amount said to be far above the legally approved entitlement of about ₦20 million, thereby conferring undue financial benefit on himself. He is also alleged to have mismanaged over $1.08 million, part of a World Bank loan granted to Kaduna State, in contravention of the terms governing the facility. El-Rufai has denied all allegations.

El-Rufai's bail application was stalled at the Kaduna State High Court, as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, has reserved ruling on the bail application to April 21, 2026.