KEY POINTS

• El-Rufai was granted N100 million bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged phone interception involving NSA Nuhu Ribadu.
• The court imposed strict conditions including surety requirements, passport surrender, DSS monthly reporting, and tax clearance verification.
• He pleaded not guilty as the court ordered an accelerated trial to continue the case.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, in a case bordering on alleged unauthorised access to a telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who presided over the matter on Monday, approved bail for the former governor in the sum of N100 million, with one surety in a similar amount.

The court, however, imposed stringent conditions that significantly shape the terms of his release, pending the determination of the case.

El-Rufai was earlier arraigned in April on a five-count amended charge relating to alleged unlawful interception or access to a phone conversation involving the NSA. He has consistently denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all counts.

In granting bail, the court ordered that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must provide evidence of at least three months’ salary payments.

The judge further directed that the salary records be verified through a bank manager’s letter within the court’s jurisdiction.

Justice Abdulmalik also required the surety to submit an affidavit of means, a bail bond, and a recent passport photograph to the court registry.

In addition, the surety must present a verification letter from their department and a valid tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.

El-Rufai himself was ordered to surrender all international passports to the court registrar for the duration of the trial.

He was also directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters on the last Friday of every month by 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register.

The court further requested a letter of attestation from the chairman of the Kaduna traditional council.

Justice Abdulmalik warned that failure to comply with any of the conditions would lead to the automatic revocation of bail.

She also ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned proceedings to commence immediately.

Background of the Case

The charges stem from allegations that el-Rufai had access to a recorded telephone conversation involving NSA Nuhu Ribadu.

The matter gained public attention after el-Rufai reportedly stated during a television interview that a phone belonging to Ribadu had been wiretapped, allowing him to hear instructions allegedly linked to his planned arrest.

The prosecution maintains that the alleged access to the communication was unauthorised and forms the basis of the criminal charges currently before the court. The case remains ongoing as the court prepares for full trial proceedings.