The federal high court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned hearing in the bail application filed by Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State governor until Wednesday.
Justice Rilwanu, the presiding judge, Justice Rilwanu, had earlier fixed March 31 for the hearing of the bail application after listening to arguments from both the defence and prosecution.
El-Rufai is standing trial following his arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The former governor had also appeared before the Kaduna state high court over alleged abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud.
According to court documents, the ICPC filed the charge marked KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26 against El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule (LEDA).
This newspaper reports that El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at about 9:40 a.m. alongside officers of the ICPC.
Security was significantly heightened across the Kaduna metropolis ahead of the proceedings, with armed personnel of the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Kaduna State Vigilance Service deployed to strategic locations.
Access to the court premises was strictly restricted, as only accredited journalists and court officials were permitted entry. However, journalists were barred from the courtroom during the proceedings.
Counsel to El-Rufai, Upon Akan, declined to speak with journalists after the session, simply stating that the case “has been adjourned till tomorrow”.
Recall that the former governor was earlier arraigned on Tuesday, March 24, at the Federal High Court in Kaduna by the ICPC over alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.