A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has fixed July 1, 2026, to deliver its decision on the bail requests filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal, in an ongoing corruption case brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ruling date was announced on Wednesday after Justice Hauwa’u Buhari heard submissions from both the prosecution and defence teams regarding the bail applications.
El-Rufai, who appeared before two separate courts in Kaduna on the same day, is being prosecuted over allegations involving abuse of office, financial misconduct and money laundering.
At the Federal High Court, the former governor, Lawal, who served as a special adviser during the El-Rufai administration, and several companies were arraigned on an amended 11-count charge.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai entered a not guilty plea to Count One of the charge, while Lawal pleaded not guilty to Counts Six, Seven and Eight.
One of the companies involved in the case, Singularity Network Security Limited, was charged under Counts Two, Three, Four, Five, Nine, Ten and Eleven.
Altogether, the case involves El-Rufai, Lawal and five corporate entities as defendants.
Earlier in the day, El-Rufai arrived at the court complex at about 9:30 a.m. amid heightened security as the high-profile trial resumed.
In a separate but related matter, the former governor also appeared before the Kaduna State High Court, where another ICPC case against him is being heard.
That case, presided over by Justice Darius Khobo, centres on allegations of abuse of office and money laundering said to have occurred during El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023.
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Following proceedings, Justice Khobo adjourned the case until June 29, 2026, for further hearing.
The Federal High Court case had previously been postponed until June 24 after two co-defendants failed to appear at an earlier sitting.
El-Rufai has repeatedly rejected the allegations against him, insisting that all actions taken during his tenure as governor were lawful and carried out in the public interest.
The ICPC, however, maintains that its investigation uncovered irregularities in the management of government funds and contract awards, which allegedly led to the diversion and misuse of public resources.
Earlier in the proceedings, on April 14, 2026, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N200 million.
The bail conditions required two sureties, including a serving or retired civil servant on Grade Level 15 and a recognised traditional ruler.
Although the former governor later sought a review of the bail conditions, the court declined the request.
The anti-corruption agency had initially arraigned El-Rufai alongside two former senior Kaduna State Government officials on multiple charges relating to alleged conspiracy, abuse of office and unlawful financial transactions. All defendants pleaded not guilty.
The trial continues to draw significant public interest due to El-Rufai’s status as a prominent national political figure and his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State.