Court Denies El-Rufai’s Bid to Relax Bail Conditions; DSS Closes Case
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has suffered a legal setback after the Federal High Court in Abuja denied his application to vary his current bail conditions. During Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled against the request, rejecting arguments from El-Rufai’s legal team that the requirements—specifically the need for a level 17 civil servant with property in Maitama or Asokoro and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council—were overly stringent and difficult to satisfy.
The court maintained that the conditions remain feasible, noting that there are qualified public officers who meet the specified criteria. El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, had previously characterized the terms as “harsh, stringent, outlandish and difficult to meet,” but the prosecution, led by Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, successfully argued that the bail terms should be upheld to ensure the defendant’s continued compliance.
In a significant development for the ongoing wiretapping trial, the Department of State Services (DSS) officially closed its case against the former governor. With the prosecution deciding not to call further witnesses, the defense team immediately indicated its intention to file a no-case submission. Erokoro argued that the evidence presented thus far is insufficient to warrant a conviction, asserting that the prosecution has failed to establish a viable case against his client.
Justice Abdulmalik has adjourned the matter until September 22, 2026, to hear the defense’s no-case submission and determine the next steps in the proceedings. Both parties have been granted two weeks to finalize their respective filings, marking a pivotal turn in a high-profile trial that continues to draw significant public and political attention.
