The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned the bail application of Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, to March 31. El-Rufai appeared before the court over allegations of conversion of public property and money laundering, charges filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai was brought to court around 9:00 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle and remained inside the car for approximately 25 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom. Security personnel were heavily deployed within and around the court premises in anticipation of the proceedings.
During the hearing, Ukpon Akpan, counsel for el-Rufai, requested that the court grant bail to his client to enable him to adequately prepare his defense. However, the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that granting bail could obstruct ongoing investigations by the ICPC.
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The former governor has been in ICPC custody since February 19, after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Since his detention, el-Rufai has remained largely silent during questioning, citing his right to remain silent. The situation has sparked widespread calls for either his release or formal arraignment.
Earlier, on March 5, a magistrate court extended el-Rufai’s remand by an additional 14 days. The former governor had also filed a fundamental rights suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the search of his residence by the ICPC and his February 19 remand.
The court’s adjournment allows both the defense and prosecution additional time to prepare arguments ahead of the next hearing.