The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday granted former Governor Nasir El-Rufai bail of N100 million over allegations of illegal interception of communications involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The court, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, delivered the ruling while setting stringent conditions to be fulfilled before the bail can be perfected.
As part of the conditions, the defendant is required to produce a surety who must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and a resident of either the Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja.
The court also ordered that the surety must provide evidence of salary payments for the past three months, accompanied by an authenticated letter from a bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction, as well as depose an affidavit of means and submit a recent passport photograph.
In addition, the defendant is required to deposit his international passport with the court and provide a Certificate of Occupancy for a landed property.
The court further directed that the surety submit a verification letter from their department, alongside a tax clearance certificate covering the past six months.
Justice Abdulmalik also ordered Mr El-Rufai to report to the State Security Service headquarters on the last Friday of every month by 10:00 a.m. to sign an attendance register pending the determination of the case.
The judge warned that failure to comply with any bail condition would result in its revocation.
Mr El-Rufai was also directed to submit an attestation letter from the chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
The ruling comes shortly after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar called for Mr El-Rufai’s release to enable him to celebrate Eid at home.