El-Rufai to remain in ICPC custody till June

Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor, is to remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) until June, after the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday declined to rule on his bail application.

Presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, instead adjourned the ruling on the bail request and ordered that the former governor remain in ICPC custody pending the court’s decision.

The court also granted an accelerated hearing in the matter and fixed June 1 to 4 for trial.

El-Rufai is facing trial on corruption-related charges arising from his tenure as Kaduna State governor between May 2015 and May 2023.

He was arraigned on April 13 on an amended nine counts filed by the ICPC and pleaded not guilty to all counts.

With Tuesday’s development, El-Rufai is expected to remain in ICPC detention until the bail application is determined and the substantive trial begins in June.