The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100 million over allegations of breaching national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik approved the bail application on Monday but imposed stringent conditions that must be fulfilled before the former governor can regain full freedom.
El-Rufai, who previously admitted during a national television interview to wiretapping the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, is currently facing prosecution by the Federal Government.
According to the court ruling, the defendant must provide one surety in like sum. The surety is required to reside in either Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja and must submit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property to the court registry.
The court further directed that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and provide evidence of salary payments for at least three months. The documents must be authenticated by a bank manager operating within the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Abdulmalik also ordered the surety to depose to an affidavit of means, sign a bail bond, and submit a recent passport photograph.
As part of the bail conditions, El-Rufai is to surrender all valid international passports to the court. The surety must also provide a verification letter from their department as well as a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
In addition, the court directed the former governor to report to the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) every last Friday of the month at 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register pending the conclusion of the trial.
The judge warned that any failure to comply with the bail conditions would result in an automatic revocation of the bail.
The court also ordered El-Rufai to submit a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.