El-Rufai: ICPC opposes Jimi Lawal’s bail application in alleged fraud trial

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has opposed the bail application filed by Jimi Lawal, the second defendant in the alleged financial misconduct case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mukhtar, disclosed this on Wednesday after proceedings before Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

Mukhtar said the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit opposing Lawal’s application but was yet to present its arguments before the court.

ALSO READ: Sokoto to extend 2027 budget town hall meetings to LGAs

“We have already filed a counter-affidavit to it. So, we are opposing the application,” he said.

Lawal’s counsel had urged the court to grant him bail on medical grounds, arguing that his health condition warranted his release. The defence also maintained that the medical evidence presented was sufficient to justify the application.

The hearing of the bail application was adjourned until October 16, 2026, while the substantive case was fixed for December 8.

Counsel to El-Rufai, Mustapha Abubakar (SAN), said the prosecution had requested time to study a further affidavit filed by Lawal’s defence team, which was served on it on Wednesday.

Abubakar added that El-Rufai’s newly appointed legal team also supported the adjournment to enable it to take over the case from the former counsel.

Mukhtar said the charges against the defendants involved about seven counts relating to alleged financial misconduct, adding that the trial had yet to commence and no witnesses had been presented before the court.