The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned until April 14 to deliver a ruling on the bail application of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. He faces a 10-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption. Arguments on the bail application were concluded during Wednesday's hearing, with the court reserving judgment. El-Rufai's lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), stated that the defence had fully presented its case. "We look forward to that day. We are hopeful. We have put our arguments before the court, and this is a court of justice," Iyamu said. He confirmed that the legal team is also ready for a separate suit brought by the Department of State Services (DSS), scheduled for hearing on April 10 at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The DSS took El-Rufai into custody immediately after the Kaduna court session. The agency has maintained a visible presence during his court appearances in Kaduna.
El-Rufai appearing in court on multiple fronts while in DSS custody signals a shift in how powerful political figures are being handled. The simultaneous pursuit of cases by ICPC and DSS, with detention preceding a hearing, suggests a playbook now applied without hesitation. For Nigerians, this means no former governor is beyond reach once legal processes are triggered. Whether this marks consistency or selective pressure will depend on how similar cases are treated going forward.
