Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Bail Application In ICPC Trial

The Kaduna State High Court has dismissed the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in his ongoing trial by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

NEWSNGR reports that the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo, dismissed the application on Monday.

According to an ICPC statement, the application was the third filed by the former governor and was based on medical grounds.

The commission said el-Rufai relied on a medical report marked “Exhibit A”, purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja.

The report allegedly claimed that the former governor had been diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer and required specialised treatment unavailable in Nigeria.

However, the ICPC said it presented documentary evidence from the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja, Muhammad Raji Mahmud, during Monday’s proceedings.

According to the commission, the document showed that a search of the hospital’s electronic medical records and patient indexes revealed no hospital number, patient file, billing record, consultation history or evidence that el-Rufai had ever been treated at the facility.

The ICPC also said the hospital stated that the purported medical report was issued without the knowledge or authorisation of its management.

Justice Khobo held that a medical report disowned by the issuing institution could not form the basis for granting the reliefs sought by the former governor.

The judge, however, ordered the ICPC to ensure that el-Rufai had unrestricted access to his personal physicians.

He also directed the commission to escort him to any specialised diagnostic or clinical facility of his choice within Nigeria during the trial.

El-Rufai was arraigned by the ICPC on nine counts bordering on the alleged conferment of benefits under false pretences and dishonest disposal of loan funds.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In April, the court had declined his bail application, holding that it was in the interest of justice for the former governor to remain in custody and be available for trial.

The ICPC is also prosecuting el-Rufai on separate charges at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

The former governor had been in ICPC custody since February 19, after being released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).