JUST IN: El-Rufai to remain in ICPC custody as Kaduna court adjourns bail ruling till June

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, will remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following the adjournment of ruling on his bail application by a Kaduna State High Court till the first week of June.

The trial judge, Darius Khobo, fixed the date on Tuesday after taking arguments in the matter, which centres on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, abuse of office and corruption.

The ICPC had earlier amended the charge, leaving El-Rufai as the sole defendant in the case.

At the resumed hearing, proceedings focused on the former governor’s application for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution on grounds that he could interfere with ongoing investigations.

Ruling on the application was, however, deferred, with the court ordering that the defendant be remanded in ICPC custody pending the decision.

Counsel to the defendant, Ukpong Akpan, faulted the position of the court, describing it as unjustified and indicative of deeper concerns.

He argued that the refusal to grant bail appeared to be anchored on the assumption that his client, by virtue of being a former governor, could 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 said the defence team would study the court’s decision and pursue appropriate legal remedies 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 bore political undertones, insisting that the legal team would, however, remain guided strictly 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.

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He also appealed to supporters of the former governor to remain calm and law-abiding despite the development.

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

“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.”

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