The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of ₦100 million over charges relating to an alleged breach of national security.
Delivering the ruling on Monday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the bail application but imposed strict conditions for his release, citing the seriousness of the charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the court, the surety must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja and must provide the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property to be deposited with the court registry.
The judge further ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must submit evidence of salary payments for at least three months, verified by a bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction.
In addition, the court ordered that the surety must file an affidavit of means, execute a bail bond, and provide a recent passport photograph. El-Rufai was also directed to submit all valid international passports to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik further required a verification letter from the surety’s department, a six-month tax clearance certificate, and an attestation letter from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
As part of the bail conditions, the former governor must report to the Department of State Services headquarters on the last Friday of every month by 10:00 a.m. to sign an attendance register until the determination of the case. The court warned that any breach of these conditions would result in automatic revocation of bail.
El-Rufai was earlier arraigned by the DSS on a five-count amended charge bordering on alleged cyber-related national security breaches, to which he pleaded not guilty. The DSS confirmed it did not oppose his bail application.
The case was subsequently adjourned for further proceedings.
