RismadarVoice Reporters, June 23, 2026
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, seeking a review of the bail conditions imposed on him, ordering that he remain in custody under the existing terms.
Delivering a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the former governor failed to establish sufficient grounds to warrant a relaxation of the bail conditions earlier granted by the court.
El-Rufai had approached the court through his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Paul Erokoro, requesting that some of the bail requirements be varied, describing them as excessively stringent and difficult to meet.
The contested conditions reportedly included the requirement for sureties who are senior civil servants of a certain grade level with verified property ownership in high-brow areas such as Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja, as well as additional verification letters from recognised traditional authorities in Kaduna State.
However, the prosecution, led by Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, opposed the application, arguing that qualified individuals who meet the conditions exist within the civil service and that the requirements were reasonable.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the prosecution’s position, stating that there are indeed eligible public officials who satisfy the stipulated bail conditions. She consequently refused the request for variation.
Meanwhile, proceedings in the alleged wiretapping case against the former governor continued, with the Department of State Services (DSS) concluding its presentation of witnesses.
The prosecution informed the court that it would not be calling additional witnesses, effectively closing its case against El-Rufai.
In response, the defence team indicated its intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence to warrant further defence.
The court granted both parties time to file and respond to the application and adjourned proceedings to September 22 for hearing of the no-case submission and continuation of the trial.
