A Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday ordered that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, pending a ruling on his bail application.

The trial judge, Darius Khobo, fixed the first week of June for ruling after listening to arguments from both the prosecution and the defence on the bail request.

With the development, the former governor may not participate in the activities leading to the presidential, governorship and National Assembly primaries of the African Democratic Congress.

By the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable, party primaries are to commence on April 23, 2026 and end by May 30, 2026.

The ADC has yet to fix a date for its presidential primary, as the David Mark-led faction and the Nafiu Bala-led faction battle at the Supreme Court over the party’s authentic leadership.

The apex court fixed today (Wednesday) for the hearing of an appeal arising from the leadership crisis in the ADC.

El-Rufai is standing trial on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, abuse of office and corruption.

The anti-graft agency had earlier amended the charge, leaving the former governor as the sole defendant before the Kaduna State High Court.

A Federal High Court earlier granted the former governor N200m bail, with additional conditions.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, proceedings were dominated by arguments on the defendant’s application for bail.

Counsel for the ICPC opposed the application, arguing that granting bail could undermine ongoing investigations, alleging that the defendant might interfere with witnesses or evidence.

However, the court declined to deliver an immediate ruling, instead ordering that El-Rufai be remanded in ICPC custody pending its decision.

Reacting, counsel for the defendant, Ubong Akpan, faulted the court’s position, describing it as unjustified and suggestive of deeper concerns.

He argued that the refusal to grant bail appeared to be premised on the assumption that his client’s status as a former governor could enable him to tamper with investigations.

“The court, in its wisdom, decided that because Nasir El-Rufai is a former governor, he is going to interfere with the investigation. Therefore, he is not entitled to bail in an allegation of financial impropriety. We respectfully disagree,” he said.

Akpan stated that the defence team would review the ruling and take appropriate legal steps to challenge it.

“The next step is to take the legal steps required to challenge it. We will respond through the proper legal process. That is what the law requires,” he added.

The defence lawyer further maintained that the case had political undertones, but stressed that the team would remain guided by the rule of law.

“From the beginning, everything about Nasir El-Rufai’s travails has always been political. This is mainly the legal arm of it,” he said.

He also urged supporters of the former governor to remain calm and law-abiding.

“Don’t allow fear to take over. Don’t act as if something fatal has happened. Nobody has died.

“In a conflict, you have gains and setbacks. Sometimes things work against you, but you must not be frightened. Sit up. We are going to take this battle on, and we are going to win,” he said.

The matter was adjourned to the first week of June for ruling on the bail application and continuation of proceedings.

El-Rufai, returned to the country from Cairo, Egypt, on February 12, 2026 and following his arrival, he has been involved in multiple legal proceedings, including investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and subsequently the ICPC, and the Department of State Service. (The PUNCH)

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