Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says bail conditions for former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai should not operate as punishment before conviction. Atiku’s spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, said Atiku is concerned about El-Rufai’s continued detention after a Federal High Court declined to review his bail conditions. According to the statement, while courts have discretion to set bail terms, the conditions must be reasonable and possible to meet; otherwise, they effectively defeat the purpose of bail. Atiku questions specific requirements tied to the surety, including the need for a serving Grade Level 17 federal civil servant with verifiable property in areas such as Maitama or Asokoro, which he describes as overly restrictive. The statement also argues that the issue goes beyond El-Rufai’s case, warning that stringent bail terms can affect the liberty of other citizens and undermine the rule of law. El-Rufai is said to be facing multiple trials involving alleged corruption and national security issues, and the court’s refusal to relax the bail terms has drawn public debate about the justice process.