The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is standing trial over allegations of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted El-Rufai to bail in the sum of N100 million.
The court also ordered him to produce one surety who must be a federal civil servant on Grade Level 17 or above.
Court Lists Strict Bail Conditions
According to the court, the surety must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja and provide the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property valued at not less than N100 million.
The surety is also required to submit proof of salary payments for at least three months alongside an authenticated letter from a bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction.
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Justice Abdulmalik further directed the surety to file an affidavit of means and provide a recent passport photograph.
The court also requested a verification letter from the surety’s place of work and a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
El-Rufai to Report Monthly to DSS
As part of the bail terms, El-Rufai was ordered to surrender all his international passports to the court.
He was also barred from travelling outside the country without permission from the court.
The judge directed the former governor to report to the headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, every last Friday of the month by 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register pending the conclusion of the trial.
The court warned that failure to comply with any of the conditions would lead to automatic revocation of the bail.
Justice Abdulmalik also ordered accelerated hearing of the case and directed El-Rufai to submit a letter of attestation from the chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
DSS Accuses El-Rufai of Unlawful Interception
El-Rufai is facing a five-count amended charge filed by the DSS over allegations linked to the interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser.
The former governor, who served between 2015 and 2023, is accused of committing the offence alongside others said to be at large.
According to the DSS, El-Rufai admitted during an interview on Arise Television on February 13 that he had access to information obtained from intercepted telephone conversations involving Ribadu.
The agency alleged that his actions violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Former Governor Challenges Charges
El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing and asked the court to dismiss the charges against him.
In his application challenging the case, the former governor argued that comments he made during the television interview could not legally be treated as a confession.
He maintained that the remarks were made during a public discussion and not under caution as required by law.
“A casual remark in a television programme cannot be elevated to a judicial confession,” he argued in court filings.
The former governor is also facing other legal matters in Abuja and Kaduna State.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.