The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100m over charges bordering on alleged breach of national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, while ruling on the bail application, imposed several conditions for the former governor’s release.
The court ruled that the surety must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja and must deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property with the court registry.
The judge further directed that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must provide evidence of salary payments for at least three months, authenticated by a bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction.
The surety was also ordered to depose to an affidavit of means, enter into a bail bond and submit a recent passport photograph to the court registry.
As part of the bail conditions, El-Rufai was ordered to deposit all valid international passports with the court.
The court additionally directed the submission of a verification letter from the surety’s department alongside a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
Justice Abdulmalik also ordered the former governor to report to the headquarters of the Department of State Services on the last Friday of every month by 10am to sign the attendance register pending the determination of the case.
The court warned that any breach of the bail conditions would result in an automatic revocation of the bail.
The judge further ordered El-Rufai to submit a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
The ruling followed the arraignment of the former governor by the Department of State Services on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged breach of national security.
El-Rufai had earlier pleaded not guilty to all counts.
During the proceedings, counsel for the DSS informed the court that the prosecution had filed a further amended five-count charge and sought to substitute the earlier three-count charge.
One of the amended charges alleged that El-Rufai intentionally and without authorisation intercepted the communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, contrary to provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
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