A High Court in Kaduna State has rejected the bail request of former governor Nasir El-Rufai, citing the seriousness of the charges against him and concerns that he could interfere with ongoing investigations.
The decision was delivered on April 21, 2026, by Justice D.H. Khobo in a case filed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
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El-Rufai had applied for bail in March, asking the court to release him either on self-recognizance or under conditions the court considered appropriate.
He argued that the allegations were not capital offences and that he had strong ties to his community, fixed residences, and assets that made him unlikely to flee.
He also told the court he had returned voluntarily from Egypt in February to honour an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and claimed the amended charges against him were unclear.
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Additionally, he raised health concerns, saying he required specialised medical care.
However, the ICPC opposed the request, describing the charges as serious and harmful to the economy.
The agency argued that El-Rufai could abscond or interfere with witnesses and investigations, and also questioned his health claims due to a lack of medical evidence.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo agreed with the prosecution, stating that the weight of the nine-count charge and the risk of interference made it inappropriate to grant bail at this stage.
He also noted that the defence failed to provide sufficient medical proof to justify release on health grounds.
As a result, the court ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody pending trial, which is expected to proceed on an accelerated schedule. Hearing dates have been set for June 1 to June 4, 2026.
