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BREAKING: Court Grants El-Rufai N100m Bail
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100 million in his trial over alleged breach of national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, while delivering ruling in a bail application on Monday, imposed a series of stringent conditions El-Rufai must meet before being released on bail.
The ex-governor is to provide one surety in like sum. The court ordered that the surety must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja and must deposit the original Certificate of Occupancy of a landed property at the court registry.
The surety is also required to be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must provide evidence of salary payments for at least three months, authenticated by a letter from the manager of the bank within the jurisdiction of the court.
The court further ordered the surety to depose to an affidavit of means, enter into a bail bond and submit a recent passport photograph to the court registry.
As part of the bail conditions, El-Rufai is to deposit all valid international passports with the court.
The court also directed that a verification letter from the surety’s immediate department be submitted, alongside a tax clearance certificate covering the last six months.
Justice Abdulmalik further ordered the defendant to report to the headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, every last Friday of the month by 10 a.m. to sign an attendance register, pending the determination of the case.
The judge warned that failure to comply would lead to an automatic revocation of the bail.
The court additionally directed El-Rufai to submit a letter of attestation from the Chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council.
The court equally ordered an accelerated trial of the charge brought against El-Rufai by the Nigerian government.
The National Assembly received a comprehensive list of proposed new local government areas (LGAs) across several states in Nigeria as of January, 2026.
The submission was reported to have included requests from multiple states, reflecting demands for administrative expansion and closer governance.
Nigerian federal workers are awaiting their salary payments following a social media post claiming that state government workers have received their salaries, with federal workers expected to be paid from Monday.
The update was shared by Naija Updates in the IPPIS Salary Discussion Group on Facebook, where the post announced that state workers had been paid and urged federal workers to anticipate their own payments.
The post generated engagement among Facebook users, attracting reactions and comments from members of the group interested in salary updates and workers’ welfare.
However, the claim that state workers have been paid and that federal salary payments will begin on Monday has not been independently confirmed. The post did not identify the specific states whose workers had received their salaries or provide an official statement from the Federal Government.
Federal workers are therefore advised to rely on official communications from their respective ministries, departments and agencies, as well as relevant government payroll authorities, for accurate information regarding salary disbursements.
The development comes amid continued public interest in salary payment schedules and the welfare of Nigerian workers.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the immediate past Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Lower Usuma Dam, Abuja.
Bichi’s appointment was approved by President Tinubu based on the recommendation of the current Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi.
Daily Voice reports that his appointment, according to a statement on Thursday by the Director of Coordination and Liaison of the NISS, Lilian Omo-Odigwe, is for an initial four-year term, effective 22nd October, 2026.
The statement noted that Bichi’s appointment is in accordance with Section 4 of the National Institute for Security Studies (Establishment) Act, 2019.
Bichi, who will succeed A.A. Gadzama, on the Governing Board, handed over leadership of the DSS to the incumbent Director-General in August 2024.
The former DG began his career in the Security Division of the Kano State Cabinet Office before his transfer of service in 1984.
“Bichi’s appointment to Chair the NISS Board brings an extensive experience in intelligence, security administration, operational leadership and institutional training to the governance of the National Institute,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus has defended her continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying her political stance is the reason some people criticize her.
Naija News reports that the actress made this known during an interview with Nigerian comedian and content creator Isbae U on his podcast, Curiosity Made Me Ask.
Badmus explained that the criticism she receives is largely connected to her decision to support Tinubu, adding that she remains committed to the president despite the negative reactions from some Nigerians.
The actress maintained that she would continue to stand by her political choice, regardless of public opinion.
She also noted that democracy allows people to support political candidates and parties of their choice without being attacked for their decisions.
According to Badmus, she does not condemn people for supporting politicians different from the ones she believes in, stressing that everyone should be free to make their own political decisions.
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