Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Bail Ruling to June

By Abah Margaret

A Kaduna State High Court has adjourned ruling on the bail application of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the first week of June 2026.

The adjournment was granted on Tuesday by Justice Darius Khobo following proceedings in the ongoing trial, where the former governor is facing multiple charges bordering on alleged financial crimes and abuse of office filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to reports, the court had earlier fixed April 21 for the ruling after hearing arguments from both parties before shifting the date.

Reacting to the development, counsel to the former governor, Ukpon Akpan, criticised the repeated adjournments, describing them as “politically motivated.”

El-Rufai was present in court during Tuesday’s proceedings, arriving at about 9:00 a.m. in a convoy accompanied by operatives of the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS). Security operatives also restricted movement within the court premises.

Supporters of the former governor gathered outside the courtroom as proceedings were conducted under tight security.

The case was subsequently adjourned to the first week of June 2026 for ruling on the bail application.

The adjournment comes amid earlier claims by El-Rufai alleging a “fresh plot” to implicate him in criminal activities and frustrate his chances of securing bail.

He had also warned of what he described as “malicious orchestrations” aimed at ensuring his continued detention.

The former governor further recalled an incident on February 12, 2026, when he claimed there were plans to arrest him upon his arrival at the Abuja airport from Cairo, describing it as “the beginning of a troubling pattern.”

Further updates are expected as the case progresses.