Kaduna High Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Third Bail Application in ICPC Trial
Kaduna High Court Rejects El-Rufai's Third Bail Application in ICPC Trial
Kaduna High Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Third Bail Application in ICPC Trial
The High Court of Kaduna State has dismissed a third bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in the ongoing criminal case brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice D. H. Khobo delivered the ruling on June 29, 2026, rejecting the application, which was based on medical grounds.
According to the ICPC, El-Rufai had relied on a medical report purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, claiming he was suffering from advanced metastatic prostate cancer that required specialised treatment unavailable in Nigeria.
However, the Commission opposed the application and presented evidence from the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud, stating that the hospital had no record of the former governor as a patient.
The hospital said a comprehensive search of its electronic medical records and patient database revealed no hospital number, patient file, billing record, consultation history or any evidence that El-Rufai had ever received treatment at the facility.
It also stated that the medical report submitted to the court was issued without the knowledge or authorisation of the hospital’s management.
Justice Khobo held that the hospital’s disclaimer had fundamentally undermined the credibility of the medical report, ruling that a document disowned by the institution on whose letterhead it was issued could not serve as the basis for granting bail on medical grounds.
The court subsequently ruled that there was no credible and verifiable evidence to justify the application and dismissed the request for bail.
The judge, however, directed the ICPC to continue granting the defendant unrestricted access to his personal medical doctors and to ensure he is escorted to any specialised diagnostic or medical facility of his choice within Nigeria whenever necessary during the trial.
The ICPC said it welcomed the ruling, describing it as a reaffirmation that applications for bail on health grounds must be supported by credible and verifiable evidence.
The Commission also reiterated its commitment to conducting investigations and prosecutions professionally, fairly and in accordance with the rule of law while respecting the constitutional rights of all defendants.
Kaduna High Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Third Bail Application in ICPC Trial
