A Kaduna State High Court has refused 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.
Justice Dirisu Khobo delivered the ruling on Monday, holding that El-Rufai’s application for bail lacked merit and failed to convince the court that he should be released while facing criminal charges.
The judge ruled that the former governor did not present sufficient evidence to justify the exercise of the court’s discretion in his favour.
According to the court, the bail application was not supported by “reliable evidence and convincing documents” capable of establishing why El-Rufai should be granted bail.
Justice Khobo further held that the defence failed to prove the existence of any exceptional circumstances that would justify releasing the former governor while his trial is ongoing.
In many criminal cases, courts may consider factors such as serious health conditions, old age or other exceptional situations when deciding whether to grant bail. However, the judge ruled that no such circumstances had been established in El-Rufai’s case.
Despite rejecting the bail request, the court directed the ICPC to ensure that El-Rufai has unrestricted access to medical care while in detention.
Justice Khobo ordered the anti-corruption agency to allow the former governor access to his personal medical team or any medical facility of his choice within Nigeria whenever treatment becomes necessary.
The court also directed that El-Rufai should remain in ICPC custody pending the continuation of proceedings.
Following the ruling, the case was adjourned until July 7 and 8 for the continuation of hearing.
El-Rufai is currently facing a nine-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and related offences.
The charges are being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, one of Nigeria’s major anti-graft agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption-related offences involving public officials.
The former governor was first arraigned before the court on March 18, 2026, alongside the Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited, Amadu Sule.
At the time of the arraignment, the ICPC filed a 10-count charge against both defendants, accusing them of offences including alleged abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.
However, during the course of the proceedings, the commission amended the charges after withdrawing Amadu Sule from the case.
The amendment left El-Rufai as the sole defendant, while the number of charges was reduced from 10 to nine.
The prosecution alleges that the offences were committed during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
Although the details of each count have not yet been fully examined during the trial, the ICPC maintains that it has sufficient evidence to prosecute the case.
El-Rufai has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is expected to continue defending himself against the allegations as the trial progresses.
The former governor served as the governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 after previously holding several public offices, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Known for his outspoken views on national issues, El-Rufai has remained an influential figure in Nigerian politics since leaving office.
His trial has attracted significant public attention because of his political profile and the nature of the allegations brought against him.
The decision simply means that the court believes the conditions for granting bail have not been met at this stage of the proceedings.
The ICPC has continued to intensify investigations and prosecutions involving former and serving public officials as part of its mandate to combat corruption and abuse of public office.
The anti-corruption agency has repeatedly stated that it is committed to ensuring accountability in public service through diligent investigation and prosecution of corruption-related cases.
As the trial resumes next month, both the prosecution and the defence are expected to present further evidence before the court.
The outcome of the proceedings is likely to be closely followed by political observers, legal practitioners and members of the public, given El-Rufai’s prominence in Nigeria’s political landscape.
For now, the former governor will remain in the custody of the ICPC, while the commission is expected to comply with the court’s directive to provide him with unrestricted access to medical care throughout the period of his detention.
The next phase of the trial is scheduled to begin on July 7, when the court is expected to continue hearing evidence in the case before proceeding with further legal arguments from both parties.