El-Rufai To Remain in Prison Custody After Court Rejects Bail Review

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, will remain in custody after the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to vary the bail conditions earlier granted to him.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Tuesday, rejecting El-Rufai’s request to have some of the bail terms relaxed.

El-Rufai, through his lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, had asked the court to review the conditions, describing them as harsh and difficult to meet.

The former governor is standing trial in an alleged wiretapping case filed by the Department of State Services.

Why El-Rufai Asked The Court To Review His Bail

Erokoro argued that the bail conditions imposed on El-Rufai were too strict.

He especially objected to the requirement that the sureties must be level 17 civil servants who own properties in Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja.

The defence also challenged the condition requiring verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.

According to El-Rufai’s legal team, the conditions made it difficult for the former governor to perfect his bail and regain his freedom while the trial continues.

Why The Court Rejected The Request

The prosecution opposed the application.

Prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, argued that the conditions were not impossible to meet. He told the court that qualified public officers who meet the requirements exist and urged the judge to dismiss the application.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the prosecution and refused to vary the bail terms.

The judge held that there are civil servants who own properties in the listed Abuja areas and that the defence had not shown enough reason for the court to relax the conditions.

The ruling means El-Rufai will remain in prison custody until he meets the bail requirements.

DSS Closes Its Case Against El-Rufai

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the Department of State Services also closed its case against the former governor.

Aladedoye informed the court that the prosecution would not call any more witnesses in the matter.

Following that development, El-Rufai’s lawyer told the court that the defence would file a no-case submission.

A no-case submission is usually filed when the defence believes the prosecution has not provided enough evidence to require the accused person to enter a defence.

Defence To File No-Case Submission

Erokoro asked the court for two weeks to file the application.

The prosecution also requested two weeks to respond after receiving the defence’s filing.

Justice Abdulmalik granted the timeline and fixed September 22 for the hearing of the no-case submission and continuation of proceedings.

The next hearing will determine whether the court believes the DSS has presented enough evidence for El-Rufai to open his defence.

For now, the former governor remains in custody as the legal battle continues.