A Kaduna State High Court has postponed the hearing of the bail application filed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai, pushing the matter to the first week of June 2026.
The trial judge, Darius Khobo, announced the adjournment on Tuesday, adding another delay to a case that has drawn national attention.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 and later served as a minister, arrived in court on Tuesday morning under the watch of security operatives. Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) accompanied him to the court premises.
The development marks the latest twist in a legal battle that began earlier this year, following allegations of fraud and abuse of office brought against the former governor.
Shortly after the court session, el-Rufai’s lawyer, Ukpon Akpan, expressed dissatisfaction with the repeated adjournments. Speaking with journalists, he described the delay as unfair and suggested that it could be politically motivated.
Akpan argued that the court had earlier fixed April 21 for ruling on the bail application, only to shift the date again without granting the request. According to him, such delays affect the rights of the defendant and raise questions about the pace of justice.
“This continued adjournment is not encouraging,” he said, insisting that his client deserves a fair and timely hearing.
The case against el-Rufai stems from an amended nine-count charge filed by the ICPC on April 13. The charges centre on allegations of fraud and abuse of office during his time in public service.
The anti-corruption agency initially filed the case with another defendant, Amadu Sule. However, Sule’s name was later removed from the amended charge, leaving el-Rufai as the sole defendant in the matter before the Kaduna State High Court.
While details of the charges have not been fully disclosed in open court, the ICPC has maintained that the case is part of its broader effort to hold public officials accountable and fight corruption in Nigeria.
In a related development, el-Rufai is also facing another criminal case at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. In that case, he was granted bail in the sum of N200 million by Justice Rilwani Aikawa.
Despite being granted bail in the federal case, his situation remains complicated due to the ongoing proceedings at the state high court, where his bail application is yet to be decided.
El-Rufai has spent a significant period in the custody of the ICPC this year. He has been held by the agency since February 19, shortly after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His detention has been a subject of public debate, with supporters calling for his release and critics insisting that the law should take its course.
On March 27, the former governor was briefly released on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother. The temporary release allowed him to attend family matters before returning to custody.
The case has generated mixed reactions across the country, especially given el-Rufai’s strong political profile. As a former governor and minister, he remains a well-known figure in Nigeria’s political space.
The ICPC has not responded directly to claims of political motivation but has repeatedly stated that its actions are guided by law and evidence.
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, including the ICPC and the EFCC, have in recent years increased efforts to investigate and prosecute cases involving public officials.
These efforts are aimed at improving transparency and restoring public trust in government institutions. However, such cases often face delays due to legal processes, adjournments, and procedural issues.
With the bail hearing now shifted to June, attention will turn to the next court date, where the judge is expected to consider arguments from both the defence and the prosecution.
For El-Rufai, the outcome of the bail application will determine whether he remains in custody or regains his freedom while the trial continues.
For now, the case remains one of the most closely watched legal battles in the country, reflecting both the challenges and the importance of Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
As proceedings continue, many Nigerians will be watching to see how the courts handle the matter and whether justice will be served without delay or bias.