The Kaduna State High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of a bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to April 14, 2026.

El-Rufai appeared before the court amid tight security as proceedings continued in a case instituted against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial impropriety and abuse of office.

During the session, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all nine counts filed against him by the ICPC on March 18, 2026.

Earlier, the prosecution had applied to withdraw all charges against the second defendant, Amadu Sule, and to remove his name from the arraignment. The presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, granted the application, leaving El-Rufai as the sole defendant in the matter.

Counsel to the former governor, Mr. Ukpon Akpan, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that his client posed no flight risk and would comply fully with any conditions imposed.

However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the gravity of the charges required careful judicial consideration.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Khobo declined to issue an immediate ruling, adjourning the matter to April 14 for continuation of the hearing and a possible decision on the bail application.

“The motion for bail was taken, and the court also took the plea of the defendant. The prosecution amended the charge and removed one person, leaving only Mallam El-Rufai to face prosecution.

“The case has been adjourned till tomorrow, tentatively, for ruling on the application for bail,” the judge said.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Mr. Akpan explained that the charges were served on the defence on Monday morning, leaving insufficient time to prepare.

“The charges are essentially new. We will study them, conduct our analysis, and respond appropriately. At this stage, there is little we can do as they were only just presented to us in court,” he said.

He added that El-Rufai remained in ICPC custody.

The case has attracted significant public attention, given El-Rufai’s prominence in Nigerian politics and his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.