By Atlantic Reports

The prosecution in the alleged financial misconduct case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has opposed a bail application by the second defendant, Jimi Lawal, whose lawyers are seeking his release on medical grounds.

The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Wednesday adjourned the bail hearing until October 16, 2026, and fixed December 8, 2026, for the commencement of the substantive trial.

Justice Hauwa’u Buhari presided over the proceedings. Both defendants were brought to court under heavy security.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, prosecution counsel Ibrahim Mukhtar said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had filed a counter-affidavit opposing Lawal’s application.

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

Mukhtar declined to disclose the grounds for the opposition, explaining that the prosecution had yet to formally present its arguments before the court.

He said the case involved about seven counts relating to alleged financial misconduct. The substantive trial had not begun, and no witnesses had been presented, he added.

Defence Seeks Bail on Medical Grounds

Lawal’s counsel, Obong Okon, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that his client’s health condition warranted release.

Okon also questioned the prosecution’s opposition, saying Lawal had previously been granted administrative bail. He maintained that the medical grounds presented were sufficient to justify the application and argued that his client needed to remain alive to stand trial.

The account of proceedings did not specify Lawal’s medical condition. The court has yet to determine the bail application.

New Counsel Seek Time to Prepare

Counsel to El-Rufai, Mustapha Abubakar, SAN, said new prosecution counsel had entered an appearance and requested time to study the case.

He said El-Rufai’s defence team was also newly appearing in the matter and supported an adjournment to allow it to take over the brief from former counsel.

On Lawal’s bail request, Abubakar said the motion, the prosecution’s counter-affidavit and a further affidavit filed by the defence were before the court.

According to him, the prosecution requested time to examine the further affidavit because it had been served that day. Lawal’s counsel agreed to the adjournment in the interest of fair hearing, although the bail application had already been moved.

The October 16 hearing will concern Lawal’s request for bail. The financial misconduct allegations remain unproven, with the substantive trial scheduled to begin on December 8.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.