The High Court of Kaduna State has rejected a fresh bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in his ongoing criminal trial instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice D. H. Khobo delivered the ruling on June 29, 2026, dismissing El-Rufai’s third request for bail, which was based on health grounds.
The application relied on a medical report said to have been issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, claiming that the former governor was suffering from advanced metastatic prostate cancer and required specialised treatment not available in Nigeria.
However, the ICPC challenged the authenticity of the report by presenting a document from the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud, stating that the hospital had no record showing El-Rufai was ever treated at the facility.
According to the hospital’s findings, searches of its electronic medical records, patient files, consultation history and billing records produced no evidence linking the former governor to the institution. The hospital also stated that the medical report was issued without its knowledge or authorisation.
After reviewing the evidence, the court ruled that the credibility of the medical report had been seriously undermined and could not be relied upon to justify granting bail on medical grounds.
Justice Khobo held that without credible and verifiable medical evidence, there were no sufficient grounds to exercise judicial discretion in favour of the application.
Despite refusing the bail request, the court directed the ICPC to continue granting El-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal medical doctors and to facilitate his movement to any specialised medical facility of his choice within Nigeria whenever necessary during the trial.
Reacting to the ruling, the ICPC said the decision reinforces the legal principle that applications for bail on medical grounds must be supported by credible and verifiable evidence.
The commission also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting investigations and prosecutions professionally while respecting the constitutional rights of all persons standing trial.
