By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Former Kaduna State Governor, , will remain on bail granted by the Federal High Court, as the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday adjourned ruling on a separate bail application to June.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna, presided over by , had two weeks ago granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N200 million following his arraignment by the on amended charges.
The bail conditions require him to provide a N200 million bond with two sureties, including a property owner with a valid Certificate of Occupancy and a recognised elder in Kaduna State to be verified by the Kaduna State Council of Elders.
He is also barred from granting media interviews, mandated to report monthly to the ICPC, and ordered to surrender his international passport, among other conditions.
However, proceedings before the Kaduna State High Court, presided over by , took a new turn on Tuesday as the court adjourned ruling on his bail application to June.
The adjournment indicates that while El-Rufai is not in custody due to the Federal High Court’s decision, his legal battle continues, with the possibility of a different outcome in the state case still pending.
El-Rufai is facing an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged advance fee fraud and money laundering. The charges followed the separation of his case from that of a co-defendant, allowing the prosecution to proceed with his arraignment independently.
He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Meanwhile, security presence remained tight around the court premises, reflecting the high-profile nature of the proceedings.
The development means that although El-Rufai is currently on bail, the relief applies only to the charges before the Federal High Court, leaving his position in the parallel state proceedings unresolved.
