By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Justice Darius Khobo of a Kaduna State High Court, for the second time within 24 hours, adjourned ruling on the bail application of former Governor of the State, Nasir El-Rufai. The new date is now April 21, 2026.
El-Rufai, a prominent figure in the opposition Coalition platform has been facing inter-agency prosecutions over multiple charges bordering on alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds, abuse of office and security related Offences.
He was, on Monday, April 13, 2026, re-arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court on amended 9-count charge bordering on abuse of office and diversion of over N11 billion being funds meant for Kaduna light rail project during his tenure as the state Governor.
He had earlier been arraigned before same court penultimate week, and his bail application billed for ruling on April, 13, 2026.
However, following the decision of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to file fresh charges, Judge Justice Khobo shifted ruling on the bail application to Tuesday April 14, 2026.
However, the bail application was on Tuesday stalled following Justice Khobo’s decision to defer judgment to April 21, 2026.
Conversely, Honourable Justice Rilwan Aikawa of a Federal High Court Kaduna on Tuesday ruled to grant El-Rufai bail.
The former Kaduna state Governor is standing trial before the Federal High Court on a 10- count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds ,and inflation of Severance package to the tune of over N579 million while in office.
However, El-Rufai, despite the bail offer from the Federal High Court will continue to be in custody ,till April 21, 2026 when the Kaduna State High will be ruling on his second bail application.
Unconfirmed reports say that El-Rufai has been programmed to remain in custody till April 23, 2026, when he is billed to be arraigned at an Abuja Federal High Court by the Department of State Services, DSS, on charges bordering on alleged wire-tapping of the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser, NSA.
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 18, 2026, when he was granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
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