The Kaduna State High Court has adjourned ruling on a bail application filed by a former Chief of Staff (COS) to immediate past Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu, till January 16.
Sa’idu, also a former finance commissioner, was arraigned at the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Rigasa.
The court ordered his remand at the Kaduna Correctional Centre, following his arrest by security agencies on December 30, 2024, on the Kaduna-Zaria highway.
The prosecution also alleged that Sa’idu allegedly laundered the N3.9 billion difference in violation of Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
But in response to the allegation, one of Sa’idu’s lawyers, Oladipo Tolani (SAN), said they were baseless.
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“Bashir Sa’idu has been in detention since January 2, , when he was captured along the Kaduna-Zaria highway at Rigachiku in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
“After his detention, we filed an application for bail, which was argued today (Thursday). Meanwhile, yesterday (Wednesday), the state government filed a charge against Sa’idu. The matter was adjourned for ruling on January 16, 2025,” Tolani said.
Reacting to claims that Sa’idu indicated his principle at the court, the lawyer said: “Whoever told you that evidence was given by a Chief Security Officer is a lie. No evidence was taken. It was only lawyers’ business; argument of bail application. No testimony was given.”