Proceedings in the corruption trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, were stalled on Thursday after a Federal High Court in Kaduna set June 1, 2026, for hearing two preliminary applications filed by the defence.

El-Rufai is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on allegation of financial impropriety involving billions of naira meant for projects that were reportedly not executed.

The case had been adjourned from Wednesday to Thursday for a ruling on applications seeking changes to El-Rufai’s bail conditions. Justice Rilwanu Aikawa had granted him bail on April 14 in the sum of N200 million with two sureties of the same amount.

As part of the bail terms, one surety must be a senior civil servant, not below Grade Level 15, and the other must be a recognised elder in Kaduna State. The court also required both sureties to surrender their international passports and barred El-Rufai from making public statements about the case, while directing that he remain in ICPC custody until the requirements are met.

On Thursday, Justice Aikawa rejected the defence’s request for the first surety to provide a N200 million bank guarantee instead of cash. However, he approved a modification allowing the second surety to be recognised by a District Head rather than the Kaduna State Council of Elders, as originally ordered.

El-Rufai’s counsel, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, also informed the court about two separate motions, challenging some documents attached to the ICPC’s charges. He said he was not ready to argue those motions immediately.

The court, subsequently, adjourned the matter to 1.00pm on June 1, 2026, for the hearing of the defence applications.