A Kaduna State High Court has adjourned ruling on the bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission pending further proceedings.
The presiding judge, Darius Khobo, fixed April 21, 2026, for the ruling after hearing arguments on the bail request.
El-Rufai was arraigned last week before the court on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office brought against him by the anti-corruption agency.
He had appeared in court last Tuesday for the hearing of his bail application, which was argued by his legal team.
Despite submissions from counsel, Justice Khobo declined to deliver an immediate ruling, opting instead to adjourn the matter.
The development means the former governor will remain in ICPC custody until the court delivers its decision on the bail application.
The case adds to El-Rufai’s ongoing legal challenges, as he is also facing a separate corruption trial instituted by the ICPC before a Federal High Court in Kaduna.
In that matter, the court presided over by Rilwanu Aikawa had granted the former governor bail in the sum of N200 million.
However, the court ordered that he remain in ICPC custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions attached to the ruling.
Among the conditions imposed by the Federal High Court is a restriction barring El-Rufai from making public comments on the case, in addition to a requirement that he must attend all court sittings.
Speaking after Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the former governor, Ukpon Akpan, confirmed that the bail application had been adjourned.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the delay, alleging that the continued adjournment of the matter was politically motivated.