The Federal High Court in Kaduna has adjourned the bail application of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to March 31, following arguments from both defence and prosecution.
El-Rufai was arraigned on Tuesday over allegations of conversion of public property and money laundering, charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The former governor arrived at the court premises around 9:00 am under heavy security, transported in a Hilux vehicle. He remained inside the vehicle for about 25 minutes before being escorted into the courtroom.
Security presence was heightened in and around the court ahead of the proceedings.
During the hearing, his counsel, Ukpon Akpan, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that it would allow El-Rufai to adequately prepare his defence. However, the prosecution opposed the request, warning that granting bail could interfere with ongoing investigations.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His continued detention has sparked public debate, with calls for either his release or formal arraignment intensifying in recent weeks.
While in custody, the former governor reportedly declined to answer questions from investigators, invoking his right to remain silent.
Earlier, on March 5, a magistrate court extended his remand order by an additional 14 days.
Separately, El-Rufai has filed a fundamental rights suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging both the search of his residence by the ICPC and the legality of his remand order issued in February.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
