Court Grants El‑Rufai N100 million Bail with Strict Conditions in National Security Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai, setting the amount at N100 million in the case alleging a breach of national security.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Monday, imposing a series of strict conditions that El‑Rufai must satisfy before the bail is released.

The ex‑governor must provide a surety who is also liable for the full bail amount. The surety must live in either the Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja and must submit the original Certificate of Occupancy for a landed property to the court registry.

In addition, the surety must be a federal civil servant at Grade Level 17 or higher and must supply proof of salary payments for at least three months, authenticated by a letter from the manager of a bank within the court’s jurisdiction.

The court further ordered the surety to file an affidavit of means, enter into a bail bond, and submit a recent passport photograph to the registry.

Under the bail conditions, El‑Rufai is required to deposit all valid international passports with the court.

The court also directed that a verification letter from the surety’s immediate department be provided, together with a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.

Justice Abdulmalik ordered the defendant 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 outcome of the case. The judge warned that non‑compliance would result in automatic revocation of the bail.

El‑Rufai must also submit a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.

Finally, the court has mandated an accelerated trial for the charge brought against him by the Nigerian government.