Tight security surrounded the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday as former governor Nasir El-Rufai appeared for a ruling on his bail application.
Security operatives were heavily deployed around the court premises, restricting movement and keeping journalists and members of the public at a distance.
The case, presided over by Justice Rilwan Aikawa, had been scheduled for a decision on El-Rufai’s bail request tied to fresh charges.
Earlier in the day, the former governor had first appeared at the Kaduna State High Court. However, proceedings there were cut short after the presiding judge, Darius Khobo, adjourned the bail ruling to April 21.
The adjournment followed new legal action by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which filed an amended nine-count charge against El-Rufai.
His lawyer, Ukpong Abang, told journalists that the revised charges came unexpectedly and included the removal of one of the previous defendants, leaving El-Rufai as the sole person standing trial.
“The charges are entirely new to us. They were given to us this morning while we were already in court. That is why the matter could not proceed to hearing,” Abang said.
He noted that the defence team would first review the updated charges before taking further steps.
“We will analyse the charges and make our position known. For now, there is nothing we can do until we have fully reviewed them,” he stated.
The case, initially set for April 14, has now been pushed forward, with the bail ruling expected on April 21.
