ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, of 100 million naira (£52,000) following his arraignment on national security and cybercrime charges.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik imposed exceptionally stringent conditions for the high-profile politician’s release on Monday, ordering him to hand over his international passports and report to the secret police monthly.
The ruling follows an amended five-count charge brought against the former governor by the Department of State Services (DSS) which includes allegations that he intercepted the communications of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Stringent Bail Terms
In her ruling on the bail application, Justice Abdulmalik laid out an exhaustive list of requirements that must be met before the former governor can walk free from custody.
To secure his release, Mr El-Rufai must provide a surety who fulfills the following criteria:
- Location: The surety must own property and reside in either the affluent Maitama or Asokoro districts of the capital, Abuja, and deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy with the court.
- Status: The surety must be a top-tier federal civil servant (not below Grade Level 17) and provide three months of bank-authenticated salary slips.
- Tax and Vetting: The surety must submit a six-month tax clearance certificate and a formal letter of verification from their government department.
Furthermore, Mr. El-Rufai has been ordered to report to the DSS headquarters at 10:00 am on the last Friday of every month to sign an attendance register. The judge also required a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council, warning that any breach would result in the automatic revocation of his bail.
The Wiretapping Accusations
The courtroom drama intensified as the prosecution substituted its initial three-count charge with an expanded five-count indictment. The defence team, led by Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), did not oppose the substitution, and Mr. El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The core of the government’s case rests on a specific broadcasting incident earlier this year.
According to count four of the charge sheet (FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026), the former governor is accused of intentionally and without authorisation intercepting the private communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The prosecution alleges that Mr El-Rufai effectively admitted to the interception during a live television appearance on Arise News on 13 February 2026.
The state argues the act violates Section 12(1) of Nigeria’s newly updated Cybercrimes Amendment Act.
A Fractured Ruling Class
The trial of Mr. El-Rufai, a powerful and often controversial founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marks a significant fracture within the country’s political elite. His arrest and subsequent trial have already triggered small-scale protests by loyalists and family members outside the DSS headquarters.
While the DSS chose not to oppose the bail application during Monday’s session, the legal battle is far from over.
The defence has filed a separate motion seeking to quash the amended charges entirely, labeling them as lacking merit and politically motivated. Justice Abdulmalik has adjourned the case, meaning the former governor will remain detained until his legal team can fully satisfy the rigorous bail conditions.
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