A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, bail in the sum of N100 million following his arraignment on charges bordering on alleged unlawful interception of communications.
The charges were filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), which accused the former governor of involvement in illegal phone-tapping linked to statements he made during a television interview.
Delivering ruling on the bail application, the court ordered El-Rufai to provide sureties and comply with other conditions attached to his release. The judge also directed that the former governor surrender his international passport to the court pending the conclusion of the trial.
The case had earlier been adjourned after El-Rufai failed to appear in court during previous proceedings. Counsel to the DSS had informed the court at the time that the former governor was in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he was reportedly being investigated over alleged financial misconduct.
At the resumed hearing, El-Rufai appeared before the court and took his plea to the charges brought against him. The prosecution maintained that the alleged interception of communications violated provisions of the law, while the defence urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms.
The court subsequently admitted the former governor to bail, noting that the offences were bailable and that the defendant had undertaken to appear for trial.
The ruling marks the latest legal challenge facing El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State for two terms and remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics.
The matter was adjourned to a later date for continuation of hearing.
