The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna granted conditional bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in an ongoing corruption case.
Papers News reports that the commission made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the ICPC, the court admitted El-Rufai to bail in the sum of ₦200m with two sureties in like sum.
The anti-graft agency said the court attached stringent conditions to the bail.
“One of the sureties must be a resident in Kaduna State with a property worth ₦200 million and a verified Certificate of Occupancy, while the second surety must be a well-respected elder, certified by an elders’ council,” the commission stated.
The court also ordered the former governor to deposit his international passport with the court registrar.
The ICPC further disclosed that the court directed El-Rufai to report to its headquarters regularly.
“Other conditions include reporting to the Commission’s headquarters every first Monday of the month and also restricted to live in a specific residence,” the statement read.
The court also ruled that he must obtain approval before changing his residence.
“The judge held that if Mallam El-Rufai desires to change his residence, a 72-hour notice should be given to the court prior to any change of residence,” the commission added.
In addition, El-Rufai was ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses. The court also directed that he remain in ICPC custody pending the fulfilment of all bail conditions.
The commission explained that the charges against the former governor followed a “protracted investigation” into his administration between 2015 and 2023.
According to the ICPC, the case involves a 10-count charge filed against El-Rufai and a co-defendant, Joel Adoga.
The ICPC alleged that El-Rufai unlawfully received ₦289,826,998.12 as severance allowance, far above the approved sum of about ₦20 million.
It also accused him of receiving $797,900 into his domiciliary account from individuals, “with knowledge that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The commission further alleged that he conspired to conceal the origin of $10,000 in 2019.
Both El-Rufai and his co-defendant have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
