Ex-Kaduna Gov, El-Rufai loses bail variation battle, to remain in prison custody

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has lost his battle to get the bail conditions imposed on him by the Federal High Court in Abuja varied. 

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Tuesday refused to relax the bail conditions for the former governor while delivering a ruling in an application by El-Rufai. 

El-Rufai, through his lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, had applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as harsh, stringent, outlandish and difficult to meet. 

The senior lawyer argued that the bail terms were too stringent, particularly the requirements for level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna state traditional council.

However, the prosecution, Oluwole Aladedoye SAN, opposed the request, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urged the court to refuse the application. 

Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request to vary the bail conditions, holding that there are civil servants who own properties at the said location.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, the Department of State Services closed its case against the former governor in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

At the resumed hearing, prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling further witnesses in the matter, prompting the formal closure of the DSS case.

Following the development, defence counsel, Paul Erokoro SAN, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence against the former governor. 

The defence subsequently sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested two weeks to respond and do the necessary filing. 

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik thenthe  fixed September 22 for hearing of the no case submission and the continuation of proceedings.