Court Grants El-Rufai N100m Bail Over Alleged National Security Breach

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100 million over charges filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) bordering on alleged breach of national security.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the bail on Monday with stringent conditions attached to its perfection.

El-Rufai is facing prosecution after allegedly admitting during a national television interview that he wiretapped the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik directed that the former governor must provide one surety in like sum of N100 million.

The court ruled that the surety must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja and must deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property with the court registry.

The judge further held that the surety must be a federal civil servant on Grade Level 17 or above and provide evidence of salary payments for at least the last three months, alongside an authentication letter from a branch bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction.

Other conditions imposed by the court include the submission of an affidavit of means, execution of a bail bond and the provision of a recent passport photograph by the surety.

The court also ordered El-Rufai to surrender all his valid passports pending the determination of the case.

Additionally, the surety is expected to submit a verification letter from his or her department as well as a six-month tax clearance certificate.

Justice Abdulmalik further directed the former governor to report to the DSS headquarters on the last Friday of every month by 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register until the matter is concluded.

The judge warned that any violation of the bail conditions would result in its immediate revocation.

The court also ordered El-Rufai to submit a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna State Traditional Council.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.