El-Rufai Granted ₦100m Bail as Abuja Court Sets Strict Conditions in High-Profile Case
By Ranti Thomas
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, setting the bail sum at ₦100 million alongside stringent conditions as proceedings continue in his ongoing trial.
The ruling was delivered on Monday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik after hearing arguments from prosecution and defence counsel in the matter, which borders on alleged security-related offences. The court ruled that El-Rufai must produce a surety in like sum before he can be released from custody.
In addition to the monetary requirement, the court ordered that the surety must own landed property in Abuja’s high-security districts of Maitama or Asokoro, with valid documents submitted to the court registry for verification. The judge further directed that El-Rufai surrender his international passports and remain under strict monitoring, including periodic reporting to security authorities while the case is pending.
The former governor was arraigned following allegations connected to breaches of national security, a case that has drawn widespread public attention given his political profile and previous role in governance. His legal team had argued for bail on liberal terms, insisting he poses no flight risk and has cooperated with investigative authorities.
Prosecutors, however, pushed for strict bail conditions, citing the seriousness of the charges and the need to ensure he remains available for trial. The court ultimately struck a balance by granting bail but attaching tough restrictions aimed at guaranteeing compliance.
El-Rufai’s case continues to generate political debate across the country, with observers closely watching how the proceedings unfold in the coming hearings as the substantive trial moves forward.