Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna State has approved bail for former state governor Nasir El-Rufai.
He is facing charges related to alleged financial impropriety, including transactions involving his domiciliary account and the handling of his earnings, as investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s bail request at the Kaduna State High Court remains pending, as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, has fixed April 21, 2026, for ruling on the application.
The ex-governor is standing trial before the state high court over several counts involving alleged fraud and abuse of office brought against him by the ICPC.
El-Rufai was presented before the state court on Monday, April 13, 2026, by operatives of the ICPC alongside officials of the Department of State Services (DSS). He is currently facing an amended nine-count charge following a review by the prosecution.
Court records from the Kaduna State High Court indicate that a major allegation involves the approval of about ₦11 billion from state funds to an unregistered organisation for a light rail project that was never carried out.
The prosecution further alleged that El-Rufai authorised and collected ₦289.8 million as severance benefits, significantly higher than the approved entitlement of about ₦20 million, thereby granting himself undue financial advantage.
In another charge, he is accused of misappropriating over $1.08 million, part of a World Bank loan allocated to Kaduna State, in violation of the conditions attached to the facility.
El-Rufai has denied all the accusations. During Monday’s proceedings, the defence team, led by Barrister Ubong Akpan, objected to the late service of the amended charges, stating that they were only provided in court.
As a result, the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, adjourned the matter to allow the defence sufficient time to study the updated filings.
