Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, will remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after a Kaduna State High Court adjourned its ruling on his bail application until the first week of June.
The presiding judge, Darius Khobo, fixed the new date on Tuesday, April 21, following arguments in a case involving an amended nine-count charge of alleged fraud, abuse of office, and corruption.
The ICPC had earlier revised the charges, leaving El-Rufai as the sole defendant. At the resumed hearing, attention centred on his bail application, which the prosecution opposed, arguing that he could interfere with ongoing investigations.
The court deferred its ruling and ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody pending its decision.
Defence counsel, Ukpong Akpan, criticised the decision, describing it as unjustified and raising concerns about the court’s reasoning. He argued that the refusal of bail appeared to be based on the assumption that his client, as a former governor, might interfere with investigations.
“The court, in its wisdom, decided that because Nasir El-Rufai is a former governor, he is going to interfere with the investigation. Therefore, he is not entitled to bail in an allegation of financial impropriety. We respectfully disagree,” he said.
Akpan stated that the defence team would review the ruling and pursue appropriate legal steps to challenge it.
“The next step is to take the legal steps required to challenge it. We will respond through the proper legal process. That is what the law requires,” he added.
He also suggested that the case has political undertones but emphasized that the defence would remain guided by the rule of law.
“From the beginning, everything about Nasir El-Rufai’s travails has always been political. This is mainly the legal arm of it,” he said.
Akpan further urged supporters of the former governor to remain calm and law-abiding, noting that legal battles often involve both setbacks and progress.
The case was adjourned to the first week of June for a ruling on the bail application and continuation of proceedings.
