Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has failed in his attempt to secure a relaxation of the bail conditions imposed on him by the Federal High Court in Abuja, meaning he will remain in prison custody pending the fulfillment of the terms.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, on Tuesday, dismissed an application filed by El-Rufai seeking a variation of the bail conditions earlier granted to him.
Arguing the application, El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), described the bail terms as harsh, stringent and difficult to meet. He specifically challenged the requirement that the sureties must be level 17 civil servants who own property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts, as well as the need for verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
Erokoro urged the court to review the conditions, contending that they were excessively restrictive and impractical.
However, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), opposed the request, maintaining that qualified individuals capable of meeting the conditions exist and that there was no basis for altering the court’s earlier order.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik declined the application, holding that there are civil servants who own properties in the specified locations and are capable of standing as sureties.
Meanwhile, the DSS on Tuesday closed its case against the former governor in the ongoing trial over allegations of unlawful wiretapping and related offences.
At the resumed proceedings, Aladedoye informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling any additional witnesses, prompting the formal closure of the government’s case.
Following the development, Erokoro told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against his client.
The defence requested two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution sought a similar period to respond.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for the hearing of the no-case submission and further proceedings.
