The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the bail hearing for former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai until Wednesday, following his temporary release by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to attend his mother’s funeral.
El-Rufai was returned to ICPC custody after Tuesday’s court session. The anti-graft agency had granted him compassionate leave on Friday, four days before the scheduled hearing, to allow him to participate in burial rites for his mother, Ummar El-Rufai, who died in Cairo. The temporary release drew criticism from legal practitioners and civil society observers, who argued it circumvented a standing court remand order and suggested preferential treatment.
The former governor faces ten counts of corruption and money laundering filed by the ICPC on March 24. Prosecutors allege he fraudulently collected approximately ₦579.7 million in severance pay across two terms, significantly exceeding the ₦40 million statutory entitlement. Additional charges involve the receipt of roughly $817,900 in alleged illicit funds through a domiciliary account between 2016 and 2023. Co-defendant Mr. Adoga is named in two of the counts.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC detention since February 18, following a petition alleging financial misconduct during his 2015–2023 tenure. His legal team confirmed the bail application was postponed to allow for the filing of necessary responses. Court proceedings were conducted under restricted access, with media personnel barred from the courtroom. The ICPC stated it initiated the investigation after reviewing allegations concerning state loans, procurement processes, and government account transfers.
The adjournment extends the legal process as the court prepares to review the bail application on Wednesday. El-Rufai also faces separate proceedings before the Federal High Court regarding unrelated allegations, with an arraignment scheduled for April 23.
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