…Returns to ICPC Custody
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, , until Wednesday.
El-Rufai was arraigned before both the Kaduna State High Court and the Federal High Court on Tuesday over multiple charges, including allegations of corruption.
Journalists were again barred from accessing the courtroom to cover proceedings involving the former governor.
Counsel to the ex-governor, Ukpong Akpan (SAN), declined to provide details of the court proceedings but confirmed that the bail application had been adjourned.
“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.
Following the court session, El-Rufai was taken away by operatives of the (ICPC) in a white Hilux vehicle.
Earlier, the former governor had appeared before the Federal High Court amid tight security for the hearing of his bail application in an ongoing corruption trial. The heavy security presence mirrored the situation during his arraignment last week.
El-Rufai was arraigned before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering. The court had initially fixed March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
On March 27, 2026, the ICPC had released him on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.
In a related development, El-Rufai was earlier on Tuesday arraigned before the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on separate charges. At the state court, he was docked alongside Amadu Sule on allegations ranging from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.
The charges at the state court, also instituted by the ICPC, are distinct from those before the Federal High Court. After the state proceedings, the commission moved El-Rufai to the Federal High Court within the same premises.
With the adjournment, hearing on the bail application is expected to continue on Wednesday.
