Toyyibat Qasim
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has opposed the bail application filed by Jimi Lawal, the second defendant in the alleged financial misconduct case involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of Lawal’s bail application until October 16, 2026, while fixing December 8 for the commencement of the substantive trial.
Lawal’s counsel, Obong Okon, had urged the court to grant his client bail on medical grounds, arguing that his health condition warranted his release.
Okon also questioned the prosecution’s opposition to the application, arguing that the ICPC had previously granted Lawal administrative bail.
He maintained that the medical concerns raised in the application justified his release, stressing that Lawal’s health should be considered in determining whether he should remain in custody pending trial.
However, the prosecution said it had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the application but was yet to formally present its arguments before the court.
One of the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mukhtar, disclosed this to journalists after proceedings presided over by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari.
“We have already filed a counter-affidavit to it. So, we are opposing the application,” Mukhtar said.
He declined to disclose the specific grounds for opposing the bail request, explaining that the prosecution was yet to formally present its response before the court.
Mukhtar said the charges against the defendants bordered on alleged financial misconduct and involved about seven counts.
He added that the substantive trial had yet to commence and that no witnesses had been presented before the court.
Defence seeks time to study case
Meanwhile, counsel to El-Rufai, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, said the substantive case was adjourned to December 8 following the appearance of new counsel for the prosecution, who requested time to study the case.
Abubakar said the defence team representing the former governor was also new to the matter and supported the request for an adjournment to enable it to take over the brief from the previous counsel.
On Lawal’s bail application, he said the relevant court processes, including the motion for bail, the prosecution’s counter-affidavit and a further affidavit filed by the defence, were before the court.
According to him, the prosecution requested more time to study the further affidavit, which was served on it on Wednesday.
He said Lawal’s counsel agreed to the adjournment in the interest of fair hearing, although the bail application had already been moved.
The court subsequently fixed October 16 for the hearing of the bail application.
Both El-Rufai and Lawal were brought to the court under heavy security, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
