El-Rufai to remain in custody as court adjourns bail application to March 31

Elrufai

The federal high court in Kaduna has adjourned the bail application of Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, to March 31.

El-Rufai was brought before the court on Tuesday over charges bordering on conversion of public property and money laundering.

The charges were preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He was brought to court by security operatives at about 9:00 am in a Hilux vehicle and was held in the car for about 25 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom about 10 minutes later.

Security operatives were stationed in and around the court premises ahead of the hearing.

During the court proceedings, Ukpon Akpan, counsel to el-Rufai, asked the court to grant bail to his client to allow him prepare for his defense.

The argument was rejected by the prosecution counsel who argued that the bail could interfere with the commission’s investigation.

The former governor has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 19 after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Since el-Rufai’s arrest, there have been several calls for his release or arraignment.

In ICPC custody, the former governor refused to respond to questions posed by investigators, citing his right to remain silent.

On March 5, the magistrate court extended the initial remand order for el-Rufai by another 14 days.