By Peter Omopo
The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned ruling on the bail applications filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal, to July 1, 2026.
The ruling was deferred following proceedings on Wednesday in a corruption case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai appeared before two separate courts in Kaduna over allegations bordering on abuse of office, financial misconduct, and money laundering.
At the Federal High Court, the former governor, Lawal, and several companies were arraigned on an amended 11-count charge filed by the ICPC. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Following arguments by counsel on their bail applications, Justice Hauwa’u Buhari adjourned the matter until July 1 for ruling on the applications.
In a related development, El-Rufai also appeared before the Kaduna State High Court in a separate case brought by the anti-corruption agency.
The matter, presided over by Justice Darius Khobo, was adjourned to June 29, 2026, for further hearing.
The former governor and the other defendants have denied all allegations levelled against them and entered not-guilty pleas to the charges.
The cases are expected to continue later this month, with the courts set to determine key applications before proceeding with substantive hearings.
