Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has granted the former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, bail.

He is being charged for alleged financial misconduct, including deposits into his domiciliary account and how his earnings were handled by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

However, El-Rufai’s bail application was stalled at the Kaduna State High Court, as the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, has reserved ruling on the bail application to April 21, 2026.

The former governor is being arraigned before the state high court on multiple charges bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office levelled against him by the ICPC.

El-Rufai was brought before the state court on Monday, April 13, 2026, by ICPC operatives and personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS). He is facing an amended nine-count charge after the prosecution reviewed its initial filing.

According to documents from the Kaduna State High Court, one of the key allegations is that the former governor authorised the release of about ₦11 billion from Kaduna State funds to an unregistered entity for a proposed light rail project that was never executed.

The prosecution also accused El-Rufai of approving and receiving ₦289.8 million as severance allowance, an amount said to be far above the legally approved entitlement of about ₦20 million, thereby conferring undue financial benefit on himself.

In another count, he is alleged to have mismanaged over $1.08 million, part of a World Bank loan granted to Kaduna State, in contravention of the terms governing the facility.

El-Rufai has denied all allegations.

During the court session on Monday, the defence team, led by Barrister Ubong Akpan, raised concerns over the late service of the amended charges, noting that they were only made available in court.

This development led the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, to adjourn to allow the defence adequate time to review the new filings.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday renewed his allegation that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is plotting to remove the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, despite earlier denials by the state government and the palace.

Fayose, in a statement posted on his official X account, alleged, “Those who are still in doubt, Governor Seyi Makinde’s plot to remove the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja, should just keep their fingers crossed and follow unfolding events,” alleging that recent accusations against the monarch were part of a broader plan to justify action against him.

He said, “They denied any rift between Olubadan and Makinde after my making same public. But now, they are accusing the Olubadan of plotting to impeach Governor Makinde,” adding that claims of partisanship against the monarch were “parts of the orchestration… to prepare grounds for the Olubadan to be queried.”

The renewed claim comes amid fresh political tension in the state, as the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola, distanced himself from alleged moves by some lawmakers to impeach the governor.

Oyekola, who represents Atiba State Constituency, said in a statement on his verified Facebook page that he was not part of any such plan, stressing that he would not engage in activities capable of destabilising the state.

“I hereby completely disassociate myself from any arrangement or activity that has the potential to disrupt the peace of Oyo State. I was never invited, never consulted, and was not part of any such meetings or arrangements,” he said.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the governor, stating, “I cannot and will not be disloyal to my boss… I remain firmly committed to the peace, unity, and continued progress of Oyo State.”

Fayose’s latest comments follow earlier allegations he made that there was a plan to depose the Olubadan, which both the Oyo State Government and the monarch had dismissed.

Fayose had, on his X handle, written that Makinde was plotting to remove Ladoja as Olubadan of Ibadanland.

He wrote: “I heard reliably that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is plotting the removal of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja.”

The media aide to the Olubadan had said there was no rift between the palace and the government, “It will be most unfortunate if it is not a rumour. Though I read it just the way you read it online. I don’t see the cause of friction between the governor and Olubadan of Ibadanland,” he said.

While the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, maintained that the government had “never contemplated, discussed, or planned such an action,” describing the allegation as baseless.

“By now, Nigerians know who and what to believe, especially when the information comes from a particular quarter. Oyo State Government has never contemplated, discussed, or planned such an action.

“There has to be a credible motive for every government action, and this, coming from the unofficial spokesman of our opponents, is better put in the refuse dump where it belongs. Desperate politics foists thoughtless propaganda and reduces democracy into a joke,” he said.

Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has said Nigeria’s lingering insecurity could be decisively tackled within six months if the Federal Government demonstrates sufficient commitment.

Ndume stated this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, where he expressed concern over the recent escalation of violence, particularly in the North-East.

The lawmaker stressed that beyond complaints, what is required is decisive action and political will.

“It is not about complaining. It is not about asking somebody like me as a senator to say why these things. I always believe that if the President and the Federal Government of Nigeria are serious about this, we can end this thing (insecurity) in six months.

“All we need is to train our soldiers, equip them, arm them very well, and then motivate them,” Ndume said.

The senator lamented the continued loss of military personnel, including senior officers, noting that such incidents highlight deeper operational challenges.

“After killing their commanders, they now come back to kill our commanders and they are still taking about five, six, or even seven. Even today, around Northern Borno, we lost a colonel, I understand, with some soldiers. This should not continue. This is now the problem,” he said.

Ndume also attributed the worsening security situation to inconsistent and incomplete implementation of security strategies.

“The escalating security situation has really been enhanced by the challenge and the threat, and the actions that have been taken that have never been completely done. We have to be very serious about this matter; we have to walk the talk.”

Speaking on the issue of foreign support, the lawmaker emphasised the need for intelligence, technology, and specialised expertise rather than relying on external forces.

“What we need is intelligence. What we need is air support. We also need the expertise of those that are specialists. We even have some that were trained outside, special forces. We have capable hands already on the ground; all they need is equipment, ammunition, and motivation.

“We do not have enough drones. Look at what Burkina Faso is doing, it is technology. We can use technology to finish or minimise these things within the shortest possible time. If you deploy drones and have trained people to operate them, with proper command centres, we can achieve results,” he said.

The Borno South senator further noted that Borno State would have suffered greater devastation without the efforts of Governor Babagana Zulum and commended his interventions in stabilising parts of the state.

Ndume’s comments come amid renewed security concerns in the North-East and across Nigeria.

A recent airstrike at Jilli Market along the Yobe–Borno border on Saturday has come under scrutiny over reported civilian casualties.

The Nigerian Air Force said the strike targeted suspected Boko Haram insurgents and that it is investigating reported civilian casualties.

While casualty figures remain unclear, several deaths and injuries were reported, with victims receiving treatment in nearby facilities.

The incident also followed a deadly attack on Thursday on a military formation in Benisheikh, where troops repelled insurgents but suffered casualties.

Security challenges, including banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes, persist nationwide.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, during a recent visit to Bayelsa State, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

In a related development, the United States Department of State has issued travel advisories and begun reducing its staff presence in Abuja. Federal Government, however, described it as a routine precaution and not a reflection the country’s security situation.