Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

The Federal High Court has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is facing multiple corruption-related charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ruling marks a major development in the high-profile trial, although full details of the bail conditions were not immediately disclosed at the time of filing this report. The court’s decision comes amid intensified legal proceedings involving several corruption allegations linked to his time in office.

El-Rufai’s bail was granted shortly after he appeared before a Kaduna State High Court under heavy security for a related proceeding concerning a separate bail application in another ICPC-linked case. The back-to-back court appearances reflect the complexity and multi-layered nature of the cases against the former governor.

Court proceedings were reportedly conducted under tight security, with journalists initially restricted from accessing the courtroom, further heightening public interest in the matter.

During earlier sittings, the prosecution was said to have amended the charge sheet, restructuring the case from an initial joint trial involving El-Rufai and a co-defendant, Amadu Sule, to a sole-defendant arrangement after Sule was dropped from the case.

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The defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ubong Akpan, reportedly expressed surprise over the amended charges, stating that the new documents were served in court without prior notice, which contributed to delays in the proceedings.

The case was subsequently adjourned to April 14, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, which has now resulted in the Federal High Court granting bail.

The ICPC alleges that the former governor was involved in several financial infractions during his tenure, including the alleged release of about ₦11 billion to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was never executed.

He is also accused of approving and receiving approximately ₦289.8 million as severance allowance beyond legally permitted limits, alongside allegations of financial misconduct involving a World Bank-linked loan reportedly valued at over $1.08 million.

Other allegations include the controversial award of a ₦4.6 billion CCTV surveillance contract in Kaduna State allegedly in violation of procurement laws, as well as claims of conspiracy to obstruct or influence federal investigators.

In a separate case before the Federal High Court, El-Rufai is also facing additional charges bordering on money laundering, conversion, and alleged unlawful possession of public assets.

He has consistently denied all allegations, insisting that his administration followed due process in all financial and contractual decisions.

The ICPC has not yet issued an updated statement following the bail ruling, while further proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the court determines the substantive issues in the case.

The development adds to growing national attention on anti-corruption enforcement and the prosecution of high-profile political figures in Nigeria, particularly amid renewed debates over governance accountability and public financial management.

Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Governor Bala Mohammed has presented more than 114 official vehicles to newly appointed emirs and district heads across Bauchi State, in a move aimed at strengthening traditional institutions in Nigeria and improving grassroots governance.

The presentation took place on Monday, April 13, 2026, and was officially announced by the governor via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle. He described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to deepen community engagement, enhance local administration, and promote closer collaboration between government and traditional rulers.

According to the governor, the distribution of vehicles is designed to support traditional leaders in performing their duties more effectively, particularly in areas of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and community mobilisation.

He stated that his administration remains committed to ensuring that both existing and newly created emirates, chiefdoms, and districts are adequately supported to make governance more inclusive and responsive at the grassroots level.

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

The governor also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Bauchi State, urging traditional rulers to remain non-partisan and uphold the highest standards of integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.

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He noted that traditional institutions remain critical partners in maintaining security and promoting development across communities, adding that their role in mobilising citizens cannot be overstated.

The Bauchi State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, led by Commissioner Isa Babayo Tilde, also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional rulers, describing them as essential stakeholders in maintaining order and ensuring effective governance.

The Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Adamu, who spoke on behalf of other traditional leaders, expressed appreciation to the state government and assured that the vehicles would be used responsibly for official duties and the benefit of the people.

The fleet of vehicles reportedly includes 14 GMC saloon cars, Toyota buses, Toyota Hilux vans, and over 100 Toyota Camry cars allocated to district heads across the state.

Governor Mohammed, who was first elected in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and re-elected in 2023, has continued to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening local governance structures. His tenure is expected to end in 2027.

This is not the first time the administration has supported traditional institutions. In April 2022, the Bauchi State Government also distributed vehicles to district heads and local government chairpersons as part of similar empowerment initiatives.

While supporters describe the latest gesture as a boost to governance efficiency, critics often raise concerns about public spending priorities amid economic challenges in the country.

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Bandits Kill 3, Abduct 5 in Fresh Attacks on Kogi Communities

Armed bandits have launched fresh coordinated attacks on communities in Omala and Kabba/Bunu Local Government Areas of Kogi State, leaving at least three people dead and abducting five others in renewed violence across the region.

The incidents, which occurred in separate attacks on Sunday and Monday, have heightened fear among residents, many of whom say insecurity in the area is worsening despite repeated calls for government intervention.

In the first attack, suspected armed men invaded Odae Bunu community in Kabba/Bunu LGA on Monday, April 13, 2026. The attackers reportedly abducted five residents and killed one person during the raid, which threw the community into panic as residents fled into surrounding bushes for safety.

In a separate incident, two residents were killed in Bagaji Odo community in Omala Local Government Area on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The attackers were said to have stormed the community in the early hours of the day, opening fire on residents and causing widespread fear and displacement.

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Local sources also alleged that the Omala attack may have been carried out by suspected herders, although authorities have not officially confirmed the identity of the attackers. Several other residents were reportedly injured during the assault and are currently receiving treatment in undisclosed locations.

The two incidents have once again drawn attention to the growing wave of insecurity in Kogi State, particularly in rural communities where armed groups frequently target residents for killings, kidnappings, and ransom demands.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kogi State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement on the latest attacks. However, residents say security presence in the affected areas remains weak, leaving communities vulnerable to repeated assaults.

Security analysts note that Kogi, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has become a hotspot for violent attacks due to its forested terrain and strategic location connecting several states, which allows armed groups to move easily between rural settlements.

Community leaders have renewed calls for urgent deployment of security personnel, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained military patrols to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among residents.

The latest violence adds to a growing list of similar incidents across the state in recent months, raising concerns over the effectiveness of current security responses in addressing rural banditry and communal violence.

Bandits Kill 3, Abduct 5 in Fresh Attacks on Kogi Communities