Court denies El-Rufai bail, orders continued ICPC detention

A Kaduna State High Court has denied the bail application of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

 

Justice Dirisu Khobo, in a ruling on Monday, held that the application lacked merit, stating that the former governor failed to present sufficient evidence to justify the exercise of the court’s discretion in granting bail.

 

The judge said the application did not contain reliable evidence or convincing documents to support the request and failed to establish any exceptional circumstances that would warrant El-Rufai’s release pending trial.

 

However, the court directed the ICPC to grant El-Rufai unrestricted access to his medical team or any medical facility of his choice within Nigeria for treatment while in custody.

 

The case was adjourned until July 7 and 8 for the continuation of hearing.

 

El-Rufai is standing trial on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and related offences.

 

He was first arraigned on March 18, 2026, alongside the Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited, Amadu Sule. The ICPC initially filed a 10-count charge against both defendants, alleging abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.

 

The anti-corruption agency later amended the charge after withdrawing Sule from the case, leaving El-Rufai as the sole defendant.