The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday fixed July 1, 2026, to deliver its ruling on the bail applications submitted by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal, in an alleged corruption case brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai, who appeared before two different courts in Kaduna on Wednesday, is facing charges involving alleged abuse of office, financial misconduct and money laundering.
At the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, the former governor, Lawal, who served as a special adviser during the El-Rufai administration, and several corporate organisations were arraigned on an amended 11-count charge.
El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to Count One, while Lawal entered not guilty pleas to Counts Six, Seven and Eight.
A corporate entity, Singularity Network Security Limited, was arraigned on Counts Two, Three, Four, Five, Nine, Ten and Eleven.
Altogether, El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities are standing trial as defendants in the case.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel representing El-Rufai and the second defendant informed the court that bail applications had already been filed.
After listening to submissions from both the prosecution and defence teams, Justice Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for a ruling on the applications.
Earlier, El-Rufai arrived at the court complex at about 9:30 a.m. under heavy security as proceedings resumed in the high-profile matter.
In a separate but related development, the former governor also appeared before the Kaduna State High Court for the continuation of proceedings in another case instituted by the ICPC.
The matter before Justice Darius Khobo concerns allegations of abuse of office and money laundering allegedly committed during El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023.
Justice Khobo later adjourned the case until June 29, 2026, for further hearing.
The Federal High Court case had previously been adjourned to June 24 following the absence of two co-defendants at the last sitting.
El-Rufai has repeatedly denied all allegations against him, insisting that every action taken during his administration was lawful and carried out in the public interest.
The ICPC, however, maintained that its investigations revealed irregularities in the management of government funds and the award of contracts, leading to the alleged diversion and misuse of public resources.
According to media reports, on April 14, 2026, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties, one of whom must be a serving or retired civil servant on Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.
The former governor subsequently sought a variation of the bail conditions, but the court declined the request.
The ICPC had arraigned El-Rufai alongside two former senior Kaduna State Government officials on multiple charges bordering on alleged conspiracy, abuse of office and unlawful financial transactions. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The trial has continued to draw significant public attention due to El-Rufai’s national political profile and his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
