Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Bid To Ease Bail Conditions

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, seeking a variation of the bail conditions earlier imposed on him.

Presiding Judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, delivered the ruling on Tuesday while considering the motion brought before the court by the former governor.

El-Rufai, through his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Paul Erokoro, had appealed to the court to reconsider certain aspects of the bail terms, describing them as harsh, stringent, and difficult to comply with. He specifically challenged the requirements that sureties must be Level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as the demand for verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council, which he argued were overly burdensome.

However, counsel for the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), opposed the application, maintaining that qualified individuals capable of meeting the bail conditions exist within the public service.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik held that the bail requirements were not impossible to satisfy, noting that there are civil servants who own properties in the designated highbrow areas, and consequently refused the request to vary the conditions.

Meanwhile, the DSS has closed its case in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial involving the former governor. At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel informed the court that no further witnesses would be called.

Following this development, the defence team led by Erokoro indicated its intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had not established sufficient evidence to warrant the continuation of the trial. Both parties were subsequently granted time to file and respond to the application.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until September 22 for hearing of the no-case submission and continuation of proceedings.