Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, secured a major legal victory on Monday after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail in the sum of N100 million over charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) alleging breach of national security.
Despite the ruling, the embattled former governor may not regain freedom anytime soon as he remains entangled in separate corruption-related proceedings instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who delivered the ruling in Abuja, approved El-Rufai’s bail application but attached a raft of stringent conditions that must be fulfilled before he can be released.
El-Rufai is facing prosecution by the DSS following his alleged admission during a national television interview that he wiretapped the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu — a development authorities claim constitutes a breach of national security.
Under the fresh bail terms, the former governor must provide one surety in like sum of N100 million. The surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja.
The court further directed that the surety must deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property with the court registry and provide authenticated evidence of salary payments for at least three months through a bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Abdulmalik also ordered the surety to swear to an affidavit of means, enter into a bail bond, and submit a recent passport photograph.
In addition, El-Rufai was ordered to surrender all valid international passports and submit a verification letter from the surety’s department, alongside a six-month tax clearance certificate.
The court also directed the former governor to report to the DSS headquarters 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 failure to comply with any of the conditions would lead to an automatic revocation of the bail.
The judge further ordered El-Rufai to provide a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna State Traditional Council and subsequently directed that the case be given accelerated hearing.
However, the ruling may have little immediate effect on El-Rufai’s freedom due to an earlier decision by the Kaduna State High Court delivered on April 21, 2026.
Justice Darius Khobo had rejected the former governor’s bail application in a separate case filed by the ICPC, citing the seriousness of the allegations against him and concerns that he could interfere with ongoing investigations.
The former governor is also yet to perfect another bail earlier granted by a Federal High Court in Kaduna on April 14, 2026.
That court had admitted him to bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum, including a traditional ruler and senior civil servants not below Grade Level 15. Both sureties were also ordered to deposit their international passports with the court.
The multiple legal battles facing El-Rufai have continued to dominate national discourse, with political observers describing the cases as one of the most high-profile legal confrontations involving a former state governor in recent years.
With trials now underway in multiple courts, attention is expected to remain fixed on the former governor’s next legal and political moves.
About The Author
