el-Rufai’s Bail Decision Due Today as Court Fixes June 17 for N1bn Rights Suit

A Federal High Court in Kaduna will today deliver its ruling on the bail application of former governor Nasir el-Rufai, while another Federal High Court in Abuja has set June 17 for hearing his N1 billion fundamental rights suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

El-Rufai, who faces a 10-count charge involving alleged conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering, appeared in court under tight security as his trial continued.

The heavy deployment of security personnel underscored the significance of the case, similar to his earlier arraignment before Justice Rilwan Aikawa.

His lawyer, Mr Ukpong Abang (SAN), confirmed the adjournment of the bail hearing.

“I’m sorry, I can’t talk now, we are in the middle of work. I have to go and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” he said.

After the proceedings, el-Rufai, who has been in detention for over a month, was escorted away by ICPC officials. He had earlier been granted temporary release following the death of his mother in Cairo.

Separately, the former governor was arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court alongside Amadu Sule on charges including alleged abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage.

These charges, filed by the ICPC, are different from those at the Federal High Court, where proceedings also continued after his transfer within the court premises.

In Abuja, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed June 17 for hearing el-Rufai’s fundamental rights enforcement suit, in which he is challenging the legality of a search conducted at his Abuja residence.

The suit questions a February 4 search warrant issued by a Magistrate Court, which authorised the search of his home on Mambilla Street, Aso Drive.

El-Rufai argued that the warrant was flawed, lacking probable cause and clarity, and containing “material drafting errors, ambiguity and overbreadth,” thereby violating his constitutional right to privacy.

He also claimed that the execution of the warrant by ICPC and police officers on February 19 breached his rights to dignity, liberty, and fair hearing.

He is seeking court declarations that the search was unlawful, that any evidence obtained is inadmissible, and that authorities be barred from using such materials against him.

Additionally, he is asking for the return of all seized items and a full inventory of recovered materials.

At the hearing, his counsel, Mr Ugochukwu Nnakwu, applied to withdraw the Chief Magistrate from the suit, a move not opposed by the respondents.

Although opposing counsel argued that the suit became defective without the magistrate, the court rejected the objection, affirming el-Rufai’s right to amend his filings and continue the case, and ordered the ICPC to respond.

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