Bail Hearing for Former Kaduna Governor Adjourned Amidst Security and Protests
A Federal High Court in Kaduna has set March 31 as the new date for the hearing of the bail application filed by Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State. The presiding judge, Rilwanu Aikawa, made this decision on Tuesday after hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution teams.
El-Rufai was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 10-count charge. These charges encompass allegations of the unlawful conversion of public property and money laundering. El-Rufai has pleaded not guilty to all the charges levelled against him.
The ICPC’s indictment details accusations against El-Rufai concerning the alleged unlawful receipt of approximately N289.8 million as severance allowance. This amount is said to be significantly “over and above” the sum he was legitimately entitled to, which was reportedly N20.01 million, equivalent to 300% of his annual salary.
One of the key charges states: “That you, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (M), sometime between September 2017 and March 2023 or thereabout at Kaduna and Abuja respectively…while being a public officer as the elected executive governor of Kaduna State, directly took control of the total sum of $320,800 deposited into your Guaranty Trust Bank domiciliary account in different tranches.”
Following the arraignment, the court ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody pending the determination of his bail application.
The 10-count charge can be broadly categorised as follows:
* Counts 1 & 2: Allegations of unlawfully receiving approximately N289.8 million as severance allowance, exceeding his entitled benefits.
* Count 3: Accusation of receiving $320,800 through multiple deposits into a domiciliary account.
* Counts 4 & 5: Charges related to the alleged receipt of $155,800 and $305,300, respectively, from separate individuals.
* Counts 6 – 10: Allegations concerning the receipt of smaller dollar deposits, including amounts of $7,000, $5,000, $4,000, and $10,000.
All these counts are framed as relating to the alleged proceeds of unlawful acts, including corruption and fraud, in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
Ex-Governor Arraigned Amidst Heightened Security
The former governor arrived at the court premises at approximately 9:00 a.m., escorted by ICPC officials in a white Hilux vehicle. He was briefly held within the court premises before being led into the courtroom, accompanied by operatives of the ICPC and personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS).
Dressed in a traditional green babban riga and cap, El-Rufai appeared composed and engaged in brief exchanges with his legal team before the court proceedings commenced.
Security measures were significantly intensified throughout Kaduna metropolis in anticipation of the arraignment. Armed personnel from the police, the DSS, and the Kaduna State Vigilance Service were strategically deployed to various locations. Major routes leading to the court, including Ali Akilu Road, experienced heavy traffic congestion due to movement restrictions. Security checkpoints were established, and police vehicles were positioned near key government installations, compelling motorists to seek alternative routes.
During the bail hearing, the defence counsel, Ubong Akpan, implored the court to grant bail to his client, citing the necessity for El-Rufai to adequately prepare his defence. Conversely, the prosecution counsel, Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, contested the bail application, asserting that releasing El-Rufai on bail could potentially impede ongoing investigations.
Following the submissions from both sides, the court announced the adjournment of the hearing to March 31.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Akpan (SAN) characterised the charges as largely pertaining to deposits into his client’s domiciliary account and the monetisation of earnings. He described the court session as uneventful.
El-Rufai’s Supporters Stage Protests
The arraignment was met with protests from supporters and loyalists of the former governor. These demonstrators, primarily comprising youths and women, gathered along Ali Akilu Road after being prevented by security operatives from approaching the court building. Some protesters were observed on a bridge, while others stood along the roadside, displaying placards with messages such as “Kaduna Citizens are with Malaman El-Rufai” and “Free El-Rufai.”
Meanwhile, a moment of mild drama unfolded on the court premises when one of El-Rufai’s wives, Asiya Ahmed El-Rufai, was initially denied entry through the main gate. She arrived wearing a veil and appeared visibly distressed when a DSS officer refused her passage, despite her identification. She was later directed to use the rear entrance. Similarly, El-Rufai’s first wife, Khadija Ahmed El-Rufai, also faced initial denial at the front gate but complied with the directive to use the rear entrance.
Journalists Barred from Courtroom Proceedings
Journalists were also prevented from covering the court proceedings from within the courtroom. Several reporters and cameramen from various media organisations were denied access, leading to protests from the press corps. A DSS official enforcing the restriction stated that the decision was based on “concession” and explicitly ordered that no journalists be allowed into the courtroom.
Nasir El-Rufai has been in custody since February 19, having been handed over to the ICPC by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His legal team has emphasised that out of the 10 counts, only one directly implicates him in association with another individual, maintaining that the core allegations centre on financial transactions within his personal accounts.
The case is now scheduled for March 31 to hear the bail application.
Notable individuals present at the court in solidarity with the former governor included his son, Bello El-Rufai, former commissioners from his administration, and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), such as Senator Babba Kaita from Katsina State.
