The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100 million over his trial bordering on alleged national security violations.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, while delivering ruling on the bail application on Monday, outlined a number of strict conditions El-Rufai must satisfy before regaining freedom.
The former governor is required to produce one surety in like sum. The court directed that the surety must reside within either Maitama or Asokoro areas of Abuja and must submit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property to the court registry.
The surety must also be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and provide proof of salary payments for at least three months, backed by a confirmation letter from the manager of the bank within the court’s jurisdiction.
The court further directed the surety to swear to an affidavit of means, execute a bail bond and provide a recent passport photograph to the court registry.
As part of the bail requirements, El-Rufai is expected to surrender all valid international passports to the court.
The court also ordered the submission of a verification letter from the surety’s immediate department, along with a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
Justice Abdulmalik further directed the defendant to report to the headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, every last Friday of the month by 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register until the case is concluded.
The judge warned that any failure to comply with the conditions would result in an automatic cancellation of the bail.
The court additionally instructed El-Rufai to provide a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
The court equally ordered an accelerated hearing of the charges filed against El-Rufai by the Nigerian government.
