Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, submitted a bail plea, which the Federal High Court in Kaduna postponed till Wednesday.
As public interest in the high-profile corruption case grew, the hearings were conducted under strict security.
Shortly after the court hearing, Ukpong Akpan, the former governor’s attorney, acknowledged the situation to Punch but declined to elaborate.
We are in the middle of work, so I apologize, but I am unable to speak at this time. I have to go file the answers. The bail application hearing has been postponed until tomorrow, he stated.
Following the court hearing, El-Rufai was driven away in a white Hilux by representatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission.
El-Rufai is on trial before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a 10-count accusation that includes allegations of money laundering, conversion, and ownership of public property.
After being detained for more than a month, the former governor was brought before the court, an event that has garnered significant public interest.
The court had already scheduled the hearing of pending applications, including the bail request, for March 31, 2026.
However, after his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, passed away in Cairo, Egypt, the anti-graft bureau freed him on compassionate grounds on March 27, 2026.
The former governor was also arraigned on other charges earlier on Tuesday before a Kaduna State High Court in Kawo.
He and Amadu Sule were docked at the state court on charges of fraud, abuse of office, intent to conduct fraud, and giving undue advantage.
The Federal High Court case is not related to the charges, which were also brought by the anti-corruption agency.
El-Rufai was transferred to the Federal High Court on the same grounds to continue the hearing on his bail plea after the state court sessions.
The court is scheduled to resume hearing on El-Rufai’s bail request on Wednesday following Tuesday’s adjournment.
