The Kaduna State High Court has rejected another bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the criminal case instituted against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
On 29 June 2026, Justice D. H. Khobo dismissed El-Rufai’s third application for bail on medical grounds.
One of the issues before the court was a medical report submitted by the former governor in support of his application.
The document, labelled Exhibit “A,” was said to have been issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, and stated that El-Rufai had been diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer which needed specialised treatment allegedly not available in Nigeria.
But during the trial, the National Hospital denied issuing the report and told the court that there were no records to show that the defendant had been treated there.
The hospital also stated the medical report was prepared without the knowledge or approval of its management.
The court held that the authenticity and credibility of the document had been seriously compromised and that a report disowned by the institution whose letterhead it bore could not be relied upon to justify the exceptional relief sought.
Justice Khobo held that there was no verified fact to grant bail on health grounds, having found the medical evidence unreliable.
The court, while refusing the application, directed the ICPC to continue to grant the former governor unrestricted access to his personal medical doctors and ensure that he is escorted to any specialised diagnostic or medical facility of his choice within Nigeria whenever the need arises while the trial continues.
The commission said the directive was consistent with its existing practice and reaffirmed its commitment to full compliance with the court’s order.
Responding to the ruling, the ICPC said the judgment reinforces the principle that applications for bail on medical grounds must be supported by credible and verifiable evidence and determined strictly in accordance with the law.
