Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has failed in his attempt to have the bail conditions earlier imposed by the Federal High Court in Abuja relaxed.
Delivering ruling on Tuesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that there was no sufficient basis to alter the existing bail terms, insisting that the conditions remain valid and enforceable.
El-Rufai had approached the court through his counsel, Paul Erokoro, arguing that some of the bail requirements were too strict and difficult to meet.
The defence specifically challenged the demand for sureties who must be Level 17 civil servants with landed property in highbrow areas of Abuja such as Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification letters from the Kaduna State traditional council.
However, the prosecution, led by Oluwole Aladedoye, opposed the application, insisting that qualified individuals who meet the conditions exist and urged the court to dismiss the request.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the prosecution and maintained the original bail conditions, stating that the court was not convinced that they were impossible to fulfill.
Meanwhile, proceedings continued in the alleged wiretapping case filed against the former governor. The Department of State Services has formally closed its case, informing the court that it would not call additional witnesses.
Following this development, El-Rufai’s legal team indicated plans to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has not established sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial.
The court granted both parties time to prepare their arguments and adjourned the matter until September 22 for hearing of the no-case submission and continuation of proceedings.
The next stage of the trial will determine whether the former governor will be required to enter his defence or if the charges will be struck out.
