Court Grants El-Rufai N100 Million Bail in Nigeria National Security Case
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in the sum of N100 million as he faces prosecution over allegations linked to national security breaches.
The ruling marks a significant development in one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political and legal cases involving a former senior state official under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik imposed strict bail conditions, including monthly reporting requirements to the Department of State Services and the surrender of all international passports pending the conclusion of the trial.
Stringent Bail Conditions Imposed
Under the court’s ruling, El-Rufai’s surety must reside in Abuja’s high-profile Maitama or Asokoro districts and deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property with the court registry.
The surety must also be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and provide authenticated salary evidence covering at least three months.
Additional conditions include submission of a tax clearance certificate, a sworn affidavit of means, passport photographs and departmental verification documents.
Justice Abdulmalik warned that any breach of the conditions would lead to an automatic revocation of the bail.
The court further directed El-Rufai to report to the headquarters of the Department of State Services on the last Friday of every month to sign an attendance register while proceedings continue.
National Security Charges
The former governor is facing an amended five-count charge filed by the DSS, including allegations bordering on unlawful interception of communications linked to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
According to court filings, prosecutors alleged that El-Rufai admitted during a February 2026 television appearance that he intercepted communications involving the National Security Adviser without authorisation.
The prosecution argued that the alleged actions violated provisions of Nigeria’s amended Cybercrimes Act.
El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all charges after the court approved the substitution of an earlier three-count charge with the revised five-count filing.
Political and Legal Implications
The case has attracted significant political attention because of El-Rufai’s influence within Nigeria’s political establishment and his previous role as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
Analysts say the trial could have broader implications for Nigeria’s political climate ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly amid ongoing tensions among factions within the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The proceedings are also being closely monitored by legal and governance observers due to concerns over cybersecurity enforcement, political accountability and the use of national security legislation in high-profile prosecutions.
DSS Does Not Oppose Bail
During proceedings, counsel for the DSS informed the court that the agency was not opposing El-Rufai’s bail application despite maintaining its case against the former governor.
Defence lawyers also filed an application seeking to quash the amended charges, arguing that the allegations lacked legal merit.
The court adjourned further proceedings after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence teams.