The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday failed to sit after the presiding judge reportedly fell ill, stalling the ruling on the bail applications filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Jimi Lawal.
The case was that of an alleged corruption case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission against the defendants.
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari had fixed Wednesday, July 1, 2026, for the ruling after hearing arguments from counsel for the prosecution and the defence.
However, proceedings could not go on as scheduled.
A court source who confirmed the development to The PUNCH said, “They said the judge is sick.”
A fresh date for the ruling is expected to be communicated to parties in the case.
The development came barely two days after the Kaduna State High Court declined a separate bail application filed by El-Rufai in another ICPC prosecution.
On Monday, Justice Diruis Khobo dismissed the former governor’s bail application, holding that it lacked merit.
The judge ruled that the defendant failed to place sufficient and convincing materials before the court to justify the exercise of its discretion in his favour.
Justice Khobo held that El-Rufai did not present reliable evidence or credible documents capable of warranting his release on bail.
Although the court refused the application, it directed the ICPC to grant the former governor unhindered access to his medical team or any medical facility of his choice within Nigeria for appropriate medical attention.
The court also ordered that El-Rufai remain in the custody of the anti-graft agency pending the determination of the case and adjourned the trial until July 7 and 8, 2026.
At the Federal High Court, El-Rufai is standing trial alongside his former Special Adviser, Jimi Lawal, and five corporate entities on an amended 11-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office, financial impropriety and money laundering.
El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to count one, while Lawal pleaded not guilty to counts six, seven and eight.
One of the companies, Singularity Network Security Limited, pleaded not guilty to counts two, three, four, five, nine, ten and eleven.
The ICPC alleged that investigations uncovered irregularities in the handling of government funds and the award of contracts during El-Rufai’s administration, resulting in the alleged diversion and misapplication of public resources.
The former governor has consistently denied all allegations, insisting that every action taken during his eight-year administration was lawful and in the public interest.
The Federal High Court case had earlier been adjourned after the absence of two co-defendants at a previous sitting.
Recall that on April 14, 2026, Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N200m with two sureties, one of whom must be a serving or retired civil servant on Grade Level 15, while the other must be a recognised traditional ruler.
The court subsequently declined the former governor’s application seeking a variation of the bail conditions.