There was a heavy deployment of security operatives on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, as former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, arrived for the anticipated ruling on his bail application.
Armed personnel were stationed at strategic points around the court, restricting movement and keeping journalists and members of the public at a distance, in what appeared to be a deliberate effort to prevent any security breach.
The court, presided over by Justice Rilwan Aikawa, had fixed Tuesday for ruling on El-Rufai’s bail application following fresh charges filed against him.
However, earlier proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court failed to progress as expected.
The presiding judge, Darius Khobo, adjourned the matter to April 21, effectively delaying any immediate decision on the former governor’s bail.
The legal standoff follows new moves by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), which filed an amended nine-count charge against El-Rufai.
Speaking to journalists after Tuesday’s proceedings, defence counsel Ukpong Abang, disclosed that the prosecution made last-minute changes to the charges, including dropping one of the earlier defendants and leaving El-Rufai as the sole accused.
“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.
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He added that the defence team would need time to review the amended charges before taking any legal position.
“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 scheduled for a ruling on April 14, has now been adjourned to April 21, prolonging uncertainty around the former governor’s legal battle.
