The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100 million in connection with a case bordering on alleged breach of national security.
Delivering ruling on the bail application, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the defendant be released on stringent conditions aimed at ensuring his appearance for trial.
The court ordered El-Rufai to produce one surety in a like sum, stating that the surety must reside within Maitama or Asokoro districts of the Federal Capital Territory.
In addition, the surety is required to be a serving federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must present proof of salary payments covering at least three months, duly confirmed by a bank manager within the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Abdulmalik further directed that the surety submit an affidavit of means, a bail bond, a recent passport photograph, and a letter of verification from his or her department.
The court also ordered that the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property belonging to the surety be deposited with the court registry.
As part of the conditions, the former governor is to surrender all international passports in his possession to the court.
El-Rufai was further directed to provide a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
The court also mandated him to report monthly to the headquarters of the Department of State Services on the last Friday of every month by 10 a.m. for documentation, pending the determination of the case.
Justice Abdulmalik warned that any breach of the bail terms would result in its immediate revocation.
The court subsequently ordered an accelerated hearing of the charges filed against the former governor by the Federal Government.