A Kaduna High Court has rejected the bail application filed by Nasir el-Rufai in his ongoing trial over a nine-count charge brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Justice Darius Khobo, who is presiding over the case, dismissed the former Kaduna governor’s third bail application on Monday.
According to a statement by the ICPC, el-Rufai’s latest bail request was based on medical grounds.
The commission said the application was supported by a medical report marked as “exhibit A”, allegedly issued by National Hospital Abuja.
The ICPC said the report claimed the former governor had been diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer and required specialised treatment allegedly unavailable in Nigeria.
During Monday’s proceedings, the anti-graft agency presented documentary evidence from Muhammad Raji Mahmud, Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja.
According to the commission, documents from the hospital showed that a search of its electronic medical records and patient database found no hospital number, patient file, billing record, consultation history or any evidence that el-Rufai had ever received treatment at the facility.
The ICPC further stated that the hospital disowned the medical report, saying it was issued without the knowledge or approval of its management.
In his ruling, the judge held that the medical report, having been disowned by the issuing institution, could not form the basis for granting the relief sought by the former governor.
The court, however, directed the ICPC to grant el-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal doctors and ensure he is escorted to any specialised diagnostic or medical facility of his choice within Nigeria throughout the trial.
El-Rufai was arraigned by the ICPC on nine counts related to alleged conferment of benefit under false pretences and dishonest disposal of loan funds.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In April, the court also declined his bail application, ruling that it was in the interest of justice for the former governor to remain in custody to ensure his availability for trial.
The ICPC is also prosecuting el-Rufai in a separate case before the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The former governor has remained in ICPC custody since February 19, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He was briefly released in March to attend his mother’s burial.