A Kaduna State High Court has adjourned ruling on the bail application filed by former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to April 21.

El-Rufai is also expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Kaduna for a separate ruling on his bail request in another case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The adjournment follows earlier proceedings in which the state High Court had scheduled April 14 to hear the bail application after the former governor was arraigned on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.

At the previous sitting, the defence told the court it had only just been served with the amended charges during proceedings, making it impossible to respond immediately. The prosecution had revised the case, dropping a co-defendant and leaving El-Rufai as the sole accused.

The charges allege, among others, that El-Rufai approved the release of about N11 billion for a light rail project that was never executed, received severance benefits far above statutory limits, and mismanaged funds linked to a World Bank facility. He is also accused of breaching procurement rules and attempting to interfere with an ongoing investigation.

El-Rufai has denied all allegations. The court is now expected to rule on his bail application on April 21.