Court denies El-Rufai bail, orders continued ICPC detention

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) pending the continuation of his trial.

Delivering the ruling on Monday, Justice Dirisu Khobo held that the bail application lacked merit, stating that the former governor failed to provide sufficient evidence to persuade the court to exercise its discretion in his favour.

The judge ruled that the defence did not present reliable evidence or convincing documents capable of justifying the request for bail. He further held that El-Rufai failed to establish any exceptional circumstances that would warrant his release while facing trial.

Despite refusing the application, the court directed the ICPC to grant the former governor unrestricted access to his medical team or any medical facility of his choice within Nigeria whenever medical attention is required during his detention.

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Justice Khobo subsequently ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and adjourned the matter until July 7 and 8 for the continuation of the hearing.

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

The former governor was first arraigned on March 18, 2026, alongside the Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited, Amadu Sule.

The ICPC had initially filed a 10-count charge against both defendants, accusing them of 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 in the ongoing prosecution.