Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, will remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) until June, following a decision by the Kaduna State High Court to defer ruling on his bail application.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by the presiding judge, Darius Khobo, who declined to grant or refuse bail at this stage of the proceedings. Instead, the court adjourned the matter, ordering that the former governor remain in custody pending a formal decision on his application.
The development marks a significant turn in the legal proceedings involving El-Rufai, as his legal team had earlier sought bail on grounds not disclosed in open court. However, the judge opted to first consider all submissions before delivering a ruling, a move seen as part of efforts to ensure due process.
In addition to postponing the bail decision, the court granted an accelerated hearing of the case, signaling its intention to avoid unnecessary delays in the trial. Justice Khobo subsequently fixed June 1 to June 4, 2026, for the commencement of trial proceedings.
The order means that El-Rufai will remain in the custody of the ICPC throughout this period unless a different directive is issued before then. Legal observers note that such decisions are not uncommon in high-profile cases, where courts often take extra caution in handling bail applications and procedural matters.
While details of the charges against the former governor were not fully outlined during the session, the involvement of the ICPC indicates that the matter relates to alleged corruption or abuse of office.
The case is expected to draw significant public and political attention as proceedings begin in June, with stakeholders closely monitoring both the legal process and its broader implications for governance and accountability.
Further developments are anticipated as the court prepares to rule on the bail application and proceed with the trial as scheduled.
