The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100 million over charges relating to alleged breach of national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who presided over the matter, approved the bail application but imposed strict conditions for the former governor’s release.
According to the court, the surety must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja and must submit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property to the court registry.
The judge further directed that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must provide proof of salary payments for at least three months, verified by a bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction.
In addition, the surety is required to depose to an affidavit of means, enter into a bail bond and submit a recent passport photograph to the court registry.
As part of the bail terms, El-Rufai was ordered to surrender all valid international passports to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik also directed the submission of a verification letter from the surety’s department and a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
The court further ordered the former governor to report to the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) every last Friday of the month by 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register pending the conclusion of the trial.
The judge warned that any violation of the bail conditions would lead to an automatic revocation of the bail.
The court additionally directed El-Rufai to provide a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
The ruling followed the arraignment of the former governor by the DSS on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged breach of national security.
El-Rufai had earlier been arraigned on April 23 before the same court, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution had filed an amended five-count charge seeking to replace the earlier three-count charge.
One of the charges alleged that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, an act said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed receipt of the amended charge and did not oppose the application for substitution.
The court subsequently struck out the earlier charge and read the amended counts to the defendant, who again pleaded not guilty.
The defence also filed an application seeking to quash the amended charge, while the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application for lacking merit.
Following arguments from both parties, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter for further hearing.
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