By George Omagbemi
KADUNA, Nigeria | October 14, 2026. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has opposed the bail application filed by Jimi Lawal, the second defendant in an alleged financial misconduct case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna, presided over by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of Lawal’s bail application until Friday, October 16, 2026. The substantive trial was scheduled to commence on December 8, 2026.
ICPC prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mukhtar, disclosed after the proceedings that the commission had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the application.
“We have already filed a counter-affidavit to it. So, we are opposing the application,” Mukhtar said.
He declined to disclose the specific grounds for the opposition, explaining that the prosecution had yet to formally present its arguments before the court.
Lawal’s counsel, Obong Okon, urged the court to grant his client bail on medical grounds, arguing that his health condition justified his release. The defence also contended that the prosecution should not oppose the request, given that Lawal had previously been granted administrative bail.
However, the prosecution requested additional time to study a further affidavit filed by the defence in response to its counter-affidavit.
Mustapha Abubakar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria representing El-Rufai, said the legal teams had requested time to familiarise themselves with the case. He explained that the defence agreed to the adjournment in the interest of a fair hearing.
Mukhtar said the charges against the defendants comprised approximately seven counts relating to alleged financial misconduct. He emphasised that the substantive trial had yet to commence and that no witnesses had been presented before the court.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, and Lawal appeared at the Federal High Court on Wednesday amid heavy security, according to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria.
The next hearing is expected to determine whether Lawal will be granted bail while the case proceeds. The prosecution’s opposition does not, by itself, amount to a judicial decision on the application.
The allegations remain before the court. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in accordance with the law.
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