A Kaduna State High Court has denied a new bail request from former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The decision followed a formal statement from the National Hospital in Abuja, which refuted the validity of a medical report submitted by the defense.
Justice Darius Khobo issued the ruling after the defense claimed the former governor was battling advanced prostate cancer that required specialized care unavailable within the country. However, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) countered this by presenting a letter from the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud. The hospital confirmed that its electronic records contained no information regarding El-Rufai ever receiving care or being a patient at their facility. Furthermore, management stated the document was produced without their approval.
While Justice Khobo concluded that the disputed document was insufficient to grant bail, he did mandate that the ICPC allow the defendant full access to his own doctors. He also ordered the commission to transport the former governor to any diagnostic or medical center within Nigeria if necessary during his trial. El-Rufai faces nine counts of corruption related to the alleged misuse of loan funds and conferment of benefits, charges to which he has entered a plea of not guilty. This denial represents his third unsuccessful request for bail, with the court maintaining he must remain in custody to guarantee his presence at future hearings. He is also currently involved in a separate legal proceeding brought by the ICPC at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
