A Kaduna State High Court refuses bail for former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and orders that he remains in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Justice Dirisu Khobo rules that El-Rufai’s bail application lacks merit, saying the defence does not provide sufficient, reliable evidence or convincing documents to support the court’s discretion to grant bail. The court also finds that the defence fails to show any exceptional circumstances that would justify releasing him while the case is ongoing.
While denying bail, the judge directs the ICPC to allow El-Rufai unrestricted access to his medical team or to any medical facility of his choice within Nigeria for treatment during detention. The court adjourns the matter for further hearing on July 7 and 8.
El-Rufai is facing a nine-count charge related to alleged abuse of office and related offences. He is said to have been arraigned on March 18, 2026, alongside Amadu Sule, managing director of TMDK Terminal Limited. After Sule is withdrawn, El-Rufai remains the sole defendant as the ICPC amended its earlier charges.
