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A Kaduna State High Court has ordered that former governor Nasir El-Rufai be remanded in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending a ruling on his bail application.
The trial judge, Darius Khobo, fixed the first week of June to deliver the ruling after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence.
With the decision, El-Rufai may be unable to take part in activities leading to the presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as the Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled party primaries between April 23 and May 30.
El-Rufai is facing an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, abuse of office and corruption, with the ICPC naming him as the sole defendant before the court.
At the hearing, counsel to the anti-graft agency opposed his bail request, arguing that granting it could affect ongoing investigations and raise the risk of interference with witnesses.
However, the court declined to give an immediate ruling and instead ordered that he remain in custody pending its decision.
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Reacting, his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, faulted the position of the court, insisting it was unjustified.
“The court, in its wisdom, decided that because Nasir El-Rufai is a former governor, he is going to interfere with the investigation. Therefore, he is not entitled to bail… We respectfully disagree,” he said.
Akpan added that the defence would challenge the decision through the appropriate legal process.
“The next step is to take the legal steps required to challenge it. We will respond through the proper legal process,” he said.
He also described the case as politically driven but urged supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.
The matter was adjourned to the first week of June for ruling on the bail application and continuation of trial proceedings.
