By Stephen Simon
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja in the sum of ₦100 million over allegations bordering on breach of national security. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik handed down the ruling on Monday after the former governor was arraigned on an amended five-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered El-Rufai to surrender all valid international passports to the court registry and provide one surety in like sum. The surety, according to the court, must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja.
The court further directed the surety to submit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property, evidence of salary payments for at least three months authenticated by a bank manager, as well as a recent passport photograph and affidavit of means. Justice Abdulmalik also ordered the surety to provide a verification letter from their department alongside a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
In addition, the judge directed El-Rufai to report to the headquarters of the DSS every last Friday of the month by 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register until the determination of the case. The court warned that any violation of the bail terms would lead to an automatic revocation of the bail granted to the former governor.
The charges against El-Rufai stem from allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the communication of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Prosecutors alleged that the former governor admitted during a February 2026 interview on Arise Television that he had access to Ribadu’s telephone conversations.
One of the counts filed before the court accused El-Rufai of intentionally intercepting the communication of the National Security Adviser without authorization, contrary to provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. The Federal Government also alleged that the offence constituted a threat to national security.
The case is the latest in a series of legal troubles involving the former governor, who had earlier faced investigations by anti-corruption agencies over alleged financial misconduct linked to his administration in Kaduna State. Reports indicate that he was previously detained by the ICPC and later re-arrested following the filing of cybercrime-related charges by the DSS.
El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and one of the founding figures of the All Progressives Congress before his recent political realignment, served as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023. The case has continued to attract national attention due to its political implications and the high-profile personalities involved.
