By Editor
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has opposed the bail application filed by Jimi Lawal, an aide and the second defendant in the alleged financial misconduct case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of Lawal’s bail application until October 16, 2026, while fixing December 8 for the commencement of the substantive trial.
One of the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mukhtar, disclosed this to journalists after proceedings before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari.
Mukhtar said the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the bail application but was yet to formally present its arguments before the court.
He declined to disclose the grounds for opposing the application, explaining that the prosecution was yet to formally argue its position before the court.
Mukhtar said the charges against the defendants involved about seven counts bordering on alleged financial misconduct.
He, however, noted that the substantive trial had yet to commence and that no witnesses had been presented before the court.
Counsel to Lawal, Obong Okon, had urged the court to grant his client bail on medical grounds, arguing that his health condition warranted his release.
Okon also argued that the prosecution should not oppose the application after granting Lawal administrative bail.
He maintained that the medical evidence presented before the court was sufficient to justify the application, adding that only a living person could stand trial.
Meanwhile, counsel to El-Rufai, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, said a new prosecution counsel had announced his appearance and requested time to familiarise himself with the case.
Abubakar said the defence team representing El-Rufai was also appearing newly in the matter and supported the request for an adjournment to enable it to take over the case from the former counsel.
He said the substantive case was consequently adjourned until December 8.
On Lawal’s bail application, Abubakar said the relevant court processes, including the motion, the prosecution’s counter-affidavit and the further affidavit filed in response, were before the court.
According to him, the prosecution requested more time to study the further affidavit, which was served on it on Wednesday.
He said Lawal’s counsel agreed to the adjournment in the interest of a fair hearing, although the bail application had already been moved.
Daily Trust observed that El-Rufai and Lawal were brought to court under heavy security, while security was also tightened around the court premises.
It would be recalled that El-Rufai appeared before the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday in a separate case filed by the ICPC.
The case, which also borders on alleged misappropriation of funds during his administration between 2015 and 2023, was adjourned until November 30 and December
