Abuja, May 18, 2026 The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, bail set at N100 million with one surety in the same sum in his ongoing trial over alleged national security violations.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the bail following a situation where counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, did not oppose the application filed by defence lawyer Oluwole Iyamu, SAN.
In her ruling, the judge stipulated that the surety must reside within Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja and must provide the original Certificate of Occupancy for a landed property to be deposited at the court registry.
She further directed that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17, and must present evidence of salary payments covering at least three months, verified through a bank manager’s confirmation letter within the court’s jurisdiction.
The court also ordered the surety to submit an affidavit of means, enter into a bail bond and provide a recent passport photograph.
Justice Abdulmalik directed El-Rufai to surrender all valid international passports to the court registrar.
She also required a verification letter from the surety’s workplace and a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
The former governor was further ordered to report to the DSS headquarters on the last Friday of every month at 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register until the case is concluded.
The judge warned that any breach of the bail conditions would result in its immediate revocation.
She also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and fixed commencement of trial proceedings for later in the day.
Court records show that the DSS, in a further amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/99/2026, filed five counts against the former governor.
El-Rufai was first arraigned on April 23 over allegations involving the interception of telephone conversations linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He had earlier been remanded in DSS custody after being transferred from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with a separate matter before the bail ruling was delivered.