Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been granted bail by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja in the sum of one hundred million naira with one surety in like amount.
The court ruling came on Monday during proceedings linked to the ongoing case involving the alleged tapping of the phone of the National Security Adviser.
Moments after the court granted bail, operatives of the Department of State Services reportedly whisked El Rufai away from the court premises. His wife was also said to have been denied access to him, raising tension around the court complex.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the surety must be a resident of either Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja and must submit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property to the court registry.
The judge further ordered that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must provide evidence of salary payments covering at least three months.
According to the court, the salary documents must be verified through a letter from the surety’s bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction.
The surety is also expected to swear to an affidavit of means, sign a bail bond and submit a recent passport photograph to the court registry.
As part of the strict bail conditions, El Rufai must surrender all valid international passports to the court. The court also directed the surety to provide a verification letter from their department and submit a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
Justice Abdulmalik ordered the former governor to report to the headquarters of the Department of State Services every last Friday of the month by 10 am to sign an attendance register until the case is concluded.
The judge warned that any violation of the bail conditions would lead to an automatic cancellation of the bail.
In another condition that drew attention, the court directed El Rufai to submit a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
DSS Tightens Security as El Rufai Returns to Court
The Department of State Services later re arraigned El Rufai over the alleged illegal tapping of the phone of the National Security Adviser.
The former governor arrived at the Federal High Court around 8 55 am under heavy security protection from armed DSS operatives.
Security agents immediately sealed parts of the court surroundings after his arrival, creating panic and confusion among journalists, lawyers, court workers and members of the public.
Several people attempting to gain access to the court premises were reportedly stopped by security operatives, leading to a brief protest at the entrance of the court.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore openly challenged the action of the DSS, insisting that the court is a public institution that should remain accessible to Nigerians and journalists unless restricted by a lawful court order.
Sowore argued that preventing citizens from entering the court without legal backing was unacceptable and dangerous to democratic values.
A source within the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission disclosed anonymously that DSS operatives arrived as early as 7 am to pick up El Rufai from the agency’s facility before taking him to court.
The source clarified that the case was not being handled by the ICPC but by the DSS.
Heavy security presence around the Federal High Court attracted attention from lawyers, litigants and visitors, many of whom experienced delays while trying to enter the premises.
The latest court appearance marks another major twist in the high profile case surrounding the alleged interception of the National Security Adviser’s phone communications.
Further details on the charges and the next court decision are still being awaited.
