Bail Application Postponed, El-Rufai Remains In ICPC Detention

According to Ireporter Online, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been returned to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission following his appearance before a Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday, where his bail application hearing was further adjourned to April 21, 2026.

The proceedings, which were held behind closed doors, saw journalists barred from accessing the courtroom as the court considered the bail application linked to a nine-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency, bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office. After the session, El-Rufai was remanded back in ICPC custody pending the next hearing date.

It would be recalled that the ICPC had on Monday amended the charges against the former governor, leading to the removal of the second defendant, Amadu Suleiman, Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited, from the case. The commission stated that the amendment became necessary due to Suleiman’s continued absence from proceedings, reportedly on medical grounds, a development the court accepted.

Following the amendment, El-Rufai was re-arraigned on nine counts under various laws, including the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, the Advance Fee Fraud Act, the Kaduna State Penal Code, and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law.

The court subsequently granted the prosecution’s application to proceed solely against the former governor, while the matter was adjourned to the new date for further hearing.