Court Orders Return of EL’Rufai’s Former Chief of Staff, Sa’idu, to Custody

Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu, the former Chief of Staff to Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, faces another setback in his legal battle as the Kaduna State High Court refused his bail application on Thursday.

The ruling, delivered just days after the court adjourned proceedings to January 16, 2025, marks a significant development in the money laundering case filed against Sa’idu. The courtroom, filled with an air of anticipation, fell silent as the judge delivered the decision, citing that a formal charge had been filed at Kaduna State High Court II.

The court emphasized that Sa’idu must seek bail from the court where the charges have been formally filed, effectively redirecting his legal team to Justice Isa Aliyu’s courtroom, where his arraignment is scheduled for January 21, 2025.

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Explaining the rationale behind the ruling, Kaduna State Director of Public Prosecution, Samson Irimiya, told journalists outside the courtroom, “The bail application ruling was delivered, refusing the application on the ground that a formal charge has been filed. The Applicant must now apply for bail in the appropriate court where the case is pending.”

Sa’idu’s defense counsel, Oladipo Tolani SAN, echoed this understanding, confirming that the next legal step would be to present the bail application before Justice Aliyu.

The case of Alhaji Sa’idu has captured public attention, not only for its legal intricacies but for the dramatic fall of a man who once held a position of significant influence in Kaduna State. Known for his close alliance with former Governor El-Rufai, Sa’idu’s time as Chief of Staff placed him at the heart of political decision-making in the state.

But now, the image of a power broker has been replaced by one of a man fighting to reclaim his freedom. For Sa’idu, being denied bail means an extended stay in prison custody—a sharp contrast to the corridors of power he once roamed.