Kaduna Court Rejects El-Rufai's Medical Bail Bid, Questions Authenticity of Health Report

By Benedicta Aboh

A Kaduna State High Court has dismissed a fresh application for bail filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in his ongoing criminal trial initiated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Justice D. H. Khobo, in a ruling delivered on June 29, 2026, rejected the application, which was the former governor's third request for bail and was based on medical grounds.

At the centre of the application was a medical report purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, claiming that El-Rufai had been diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer requiring specialised treatment allegedly unavailable in Nigeria.

However, the ICPC opposed the application, presenting evidence from the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud, who disowned the report.

According to the hospital, a thorough search of its records found no evidence that El-Rufai had ever been registered, treated, or consulted at the facility. The hospital also stated that the document was issued without the knowledge or approval of its management.

In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the authenticity and credibility of the medical report had been fatally undermined, stressing that a document repudiated by the institution whose letterhead it bore could not justify the grant of bail on medical grounds.

The court consequently found that there was no credible and verifiable medical evidence to warrant the exercise of its discretion in favour of the defendant.

Despite refusing the application, the court directed the ICPC to continue granting El-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal doctors and to facilitate his movement to any specialised diagnostic or medical facility of his choice within Nigeria whenever necessary while the trial continues.

Reacting to the ruling, the ICPC described the decision as a reaffirmation that applications for bail on health grounds must be supported by credible and verifiable evidence.

The anti-graft agency also reiterated its commitment to conducting investigations and prosecutions professionally, fairly, and in accordance with the rule of law, while respecting the constitutional rights of all defendants.