KADUNA, April 14, 2026 — Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai got N200 million bail from a Federal High Court Tuesday. He remains in ICPC custody until he meets all bail terms.
Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa ruled on El-Rufai’s bail plea. ICPC arraigned him March 24 on 10 corruption charges. He pleaded not guilty.
The charges cover alleged unlawful receipt of N289.8 million as severance pay and $320,800 in foreign accounts during his 2015–2023 tenure.
Lead counsel Oluwole Iyamu, SAN said: “We have put our arguments before the court, and this is a court of justice. We await the decision of the court.”
The court set bail but ordered El-Rufai to stay with ICPC until he perfects the terms. That means he needs sureties, property bonds, and must submit his passport.
ICPC spokesman John Odey confirmed: “He is with us. We brought him back to Abuja after the proceedings on Wednesday.” He denied claims El-Rufai was with DSS.
EFCC first arrested El-Rufai February 16. He got administrative bail, then ICPC re-arrested him February 18. ICPC probes cover N2.1bn in suspicious payments and €1.4m.
The agency briefly released him “on compassionate grounds” after his mother died. Lawyers called that move unlawful since the court had ordered remand.
El-Rufai stays in ICPC custody until his team meets the N200m bail terms. Trial continues at the Federal High Court.
He also sued ICPC for N15.6bn over “unlawful detention” and defamation.
