Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has secured bail from the Federal High Court in Abuja, but only under a strict set of conditions that could significantly limit his movements while his trial continues.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like amount during proceedings held in Abuja on Monday. The ruling came days after the Department of State Services, DSS, arraigned the former governor on an amended five-count charge.
The court outlined several stringent requirements that must be fulfilled before the bail can be perfected. Among them is the condition that the surety must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro, two high-profile districts in the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Abdulmalik also ordered the surety to deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy for a landed property with the court registry. In addition, the surety must be a federal civil servant on Grade Level 17 or above.
To further establish financial credibility, the surety is required to provide proof of salary payments for at least three months. The documents must be backed by a verification letter from a bank manager operating within the court’s jurisdiction.
The court directed the surety to submit an affidavit of means, sign a bail bond, and provide a recent passport photograph. A tax clearance certificate covering the last six months, alongside a verification letter from the surety’s department, must also be filed before the bail takes effect.
As part of the conditions imposed on the former Kaduna governor, El-Rufai must surrender all valid international passports to the court registry. He was also ordered to report to the headquarters of the DSS every last Friday of the month by 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register pending the conclusion of the trial.
Justice Abdulmalik warned that any violation of the conditions would result in the automatic revocation of the bail. The court additionally instructed El-Rufai to submit a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
