A Kaduna State High Court has denied the bail application filed by 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).
Delivering the ruling on Monday, Justice Dirisu Khobo held that El-Rufai’s application lacked merit, stating that the former governor failed to provide sufficient grounds to justify the court’s discretion to grant him bail.
According to the judge, the application was not supported by reliable evidence or convincing documents capable of warranting his release.
The court further ruled that the defence failed to establish any exceptional circumstances that would justify granting bail while the trial is ongoing.
Despite refusing the application, Justice Khobo 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 court subsequently ordered that the former governor remain in ICPC custody and adjourned the case until July 7 and 8 for the continuation of trial.
According to earlier report by Politics Nigeria, 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.
However, the anti-corruption agency later amended the charges after withdrawing Sule from the case, leaving El-Rufai as the sole defendant.
