The Kaduna state high court II on Tuesday denied bail to Bashir Sa’idu, former chief of staff, to ex- governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The Kaduna state government dragged Saidu before the court presided by Justice Isa Aliyu
on a 10 count charge bothering on alleged money laundering, embezzlement, and stealing.
Saidu pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him in court.
The court ordered that he remains in the custody of the Kaduna Correctional Centre, pending the determination of his bail application.
The court adjourned hearing on his bail application until Thursday, 23rd January, 2025.
Saidu who served as commissioner for finance, Commissioner for Local Government and Chief of Staff under El-Rufai’s eight years as governor of Kaduna state between 2015 to 2023 is also facing similar charges at the Federal High Court Kaduna, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
In one of the charges, the former commissioner is accused of
“selling $45million in hard currency belonging to the Kaduna State Government—equivalent to ₦18,450,000,000—at the significantly undervalued rate of ₦410 per dollar, instead of the parallel market rate of ₦498 per dollar, with criminal intent, resulting in a ₦3,960,000,000 loss to the government.”
According to the prosecution, the offence allegedly took place in 2022, when Sa’idu served as commissioner of Finance in the El-Rufai’s administration.
The prosecution further alleged that the ₦3,960,000,000 discrepancy was laundered by Saidu in violation of Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At Tuesday’s appearance, Counsel to the defendant, M. I Abubakar informed the court of a pending bail application.
He urged the Court to grant his client bail, as he had already spent 21 days in custody since his arrest on 2nd January 2025.
He pleaded his client needed to be granted bail to enable him adequate time to prepare for his defence.
Nasiru Aliyu, the prosecuting counsel, however, raised objection against the bail application, arguing that the law provides that the prosecution be allowed seven days to file its response to the bail application
In his ruling, Justice Aliyu said granted the prayers of the prosecution and adjourned the case to January 23, 2025, for hearing of the bail application.
