Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has failed in his bid to secure a relaxation of the bail conditions imposed on him by the Federal High Court in Abuja, a decision that means he will remain in custody pending the fulfilment of the court’s requirements.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, on Tuesday, dismissed El-Rufai’s application seeking a variation of the bail terms earlier granted to him in the ongoing alleged wiretapping case.
Through his counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), El-Rufai had argued that some of the conditions were excessively stringent and difficult to satisfy. The defence specifically challenged the requirement for sureties who are Level 17 civil servants with landed properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as the need for verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
Erokoro urged the court to review the conditions, describing them as harsh and unrealistic.
However, prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), opposed the request, maintaining that qualified public officers capable of meeting the bail requirements exist and that there was no basis for altering the court’s decision.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik refused the application, holding that the conditions were not impossible to meet and noting that civil servants with properties in the specified areas do exist.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) formally closed its case against the former governor during Tuesday’s proceedings.
Prosecutor Oluwole Aladedoye informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling any additional witnesses, leading to the official closure of the DSS case.
Following the development, the defence announced its intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence to warrant El-Rufai entering a defence.
The defence requested two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution sought a similar period to respond.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for the hearing of the no-case submission and further proceedings in the trial.
