Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, is at the center of a protracted legal battle following his arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on March 24. El-Rufai, along with Joel Adoga, was charged with allegations related to fraud and money laundering, to which both defendants pleaded not guilty before a federal high court in Kaduna.

Following the initial proceedings, the court adjourned the bail hearing to March 31. In April, Justice Rilwanu Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N200 million, requiring two sureties. Specific bail conditions included one surety being a senior civil servant not below Grade Level 15 and the second a recognized elder in the state. Furthermore, the court ordered El-Rufai to remain in ICPC custody until his bail conditions were perfected, directed sureties to deposit their international passports, and restrained the former governor from making public comments on the case.

In a significant development on Wednesday, May 6, a federal high court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai permission to receive medical treatment in Abuja while in custody. This ruling allows him to undergo dental and eye treatment at medical facilities of his choice, specifically mentioning Mile Dental Clinic and Skipper Eye-Q Hospital in Abuja, under the strict supervision of the ICPC. The court emphasized that he must be returned to custody immediately after such treatment, with all movements remaining under ICPC oversight.

The legal proceedings continued with El-Rufai's motion seeking variation of the bail conditions. On Thursday, May 7, Justice Aikawa ruled on this application, declining the defendant’s request for the first surety to provide a bank guarantee of N200 million instead of a cash deposit. However, the court did grant a variation allowing the second surety to be recognized by a District Head, rather than the Kaduna State Council of Elders as initially ordered.

Separately, El-Rufai is also facing allegations of financial misconduct, including the release of billions of naira in state funds for projects reportedly unexecuted, allegations which he denies. His legal team, led by Mustapha Abubakar (SAN), has filed two pre-trial motions seeking to strike out certain documents attached to the charges preferred by the ICPC. The Federal High Court in Kaduna subsequently adjourned the hearing of these pre-trial motions until June 1, 2026, due to the defence counsel not being ready to proceed immediately.