The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna is expected to rule today on the bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
El-Rufai, who is facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering, was brought to court under tight security for the hearing. His counsel, Mr. Ukpong Abang (SAN), confirmed that the court would deliver its decision on the bail request today.
The former governor, who has spent over a month in detention, was returned to custody after the proceedings by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He had earlier been granted temporary release on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother in Cairo, Egypt.
In a related development, El-Rufai was also arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court alongside one Amadu Sule on separate charges including alleged abuse of office and fraud. The charges are distinct from those before the Federal High Court.
Meanwhile, a separate Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 17 to hear a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai against the ICPC and others.
In the suit, he is challenging the legality of a search conducted at his Abuja residence, arguing that the warrant used was invalid and violated his constitutional rights to privacy, dignity, personal liberty and fair hearing.
He is seeking, among other reliefs, a declaration that the search was unlawful, the return of seized items, and an order preventing authorities from using any material obtained during the operation in any proceedings against him.
At the last hearing, the court struck out the name of a magistrate initially listed as a defendant after an application by El-Rufai’s counsel. The court also dismissed an objection by the ICPC, allowing the case to proceed and directing the anti-graft agency to file its response.
