Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Kaduna State, while his bail application at the Kaduna State High Court remains pending. The charges against El-Rufai stem from alleged financial misconduct, with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) leading the prosecution.
El-Rufai is facing multiple charges at the Kaduna State High Court related to alleged fraud and abuse of office. He appeared before the state court on Monday, April 13, 2026, accompanied by operatives from the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS). The prosecution has presented an amended nine-count charge following a review of the initial filing, escalating the legal proceedings against the former governor.
The Allegations of Financial Misconduct
The ICPC alleges that El-Rufai authorised the release of approximately ₦11 billion from Kaduna State funds to an unregistered entity for a proposed light rail project that was never completed. This constitutes a significant portion of the accusations against the former governor. Furthermore, the prosecution contends that El-Rufai approved and received a severance allowance of ₦289.8 million, significantly exceeding the legally approved entitlement of approximately ₦20 million, thereby allegedly conferring an undue financial benefit upon himself.
Beyond the state funds, the ICPC also accuses El-Rufai of mismanagement involving over $1.08 million, a portion of a World Bank loan provided to Kaduna State. This alleged mismanagement reportedly occurred in violation of the terms and conditions governing the loan facility. The details of these charges highlight the scope and complexity of the financial scrutiny facing the former governor.
Bail Proceedings and Legal Challenges
While the Federal High Court granted El-Rufai bail, his application for bail at the Kaduna State High Court is still unresolved. Justice Darius Khobo, presiding over the state high court, has adjourned the ruling on the bail application to April 21, 2026. During the court session on Monday, the defence team, led by Barrister Ubong Akpan, raised concerns regarding the late service of the amended charges, stating that they were only made available in court during the proceedings.
“The defence team expressed concerns over the late service of the amended charges, noting that they were only made available in court,” stated Barrister Akpan.
Justice Khobo subsequently adjourned the proceedings to allow the defence adequate time to thoroughly review the newly presented filings. This delay underscores the legal complexities and procedural challenges inherent in the case.
The ongoing legal proceedings involving Nasir El-Rufai highlight the ICPC’s commitment to investigating allegations of financial misconduct among public officials. The outcome of the bail application at the Kaduna State High Court and the subsequent trial will likely have significant implications for the former governor and could set a precedent for future cases involving alleged financial impropriety within government.
