The Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday refused to entertain the bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, describing the request as premature.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik, who adjourned the matter until April 23, 2026, for proper arraignment.
According to a lawyer who witnessed the proceedings, the court declined to allow El-Rufai’s legal team to move the bail application during Wednesday’s session.
“On the El-Rufai case, the court denied his counsel the right to move for his bail application just now. He stated the bail application is immature and he adjourned the case to the 23rd of April 2026 to arraign El-Rufai properly before the court,” the lawyer said.
El-Rufai was absent from the courtroom as he remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Some chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Bolaji Abdullahi, were present in court to observe the proceedings.
₦1bn Fundamental Rights Suit
The development comes amid mounting legal battles between the former governor and federal anti-corruption agencies.
El-Rufai had earlier filed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the ICPC and three other respondents, alleging an unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.
The suit, filed on February 20, 2026, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, with case number FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, listed the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.
Court documents filed by his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, alleged that ICPC operatives, accompanied by police officers, stormed El-Rufai’s residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19, 2026, relying on what the legal team described as a defective search warrant.
The lawyers argued that the warrant lacked specificity regarding items to be seized and contained typographical and material errors, which they claim rendered it invalid.
Detention Controversy
Concerns have also been raised over El-Rufai’s continued detention and alleged treatment in custody.
His media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, claimed that the former governor suffered a nosebleed while in detention and was denied direct access to meals brought by family members.
The aide further alleged that El-Rufai was transferred overnight from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the ICPC without prior notice to his lawyers or family.
His legal team has maintained that no valid remand order has been presented to justify his continued detention beyond constitutionally permitted limits, while attempts to secure bail have so far been unsuccessful.
With Wednesday’s ruling, the court is expected to formally arraign El-Rufai when proceedings resume on April 23, as the legal tussle between the former governor and federal anti-corruption agencies continues to unfold.