Court Denies Nasir El-Rufai Bail, Orders ICPC Custody

On Monday, a Kaduna State High Court ruled against the bail application of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ordering his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). Justice Dirisu Khobo stated that El-Rufai's application lacked merit, as he failed to provide sufficient grounds to justify the court's discretion to grant bail.

The court further ruled that the defense did not establish any exceptional circumstances warranting bail during the ongoing trial. Despite the denial of bail, Justice Khobo directed the ICPC to grant El-Rufai unrestricted access to a medical team of his choice within Nigeria while in custody.

The case has been adjourned until July 7-8 for continued trial. El-Rufai faces nine counts of charges related to alleged abuse of office, having been first arraigned on March 18, 2026, alongside Amadu Sule, the managing director of TMDK.

The ICPC initially filed ten counts against the defendants but later amended the charges, withdrawing Sule's case and leaving El-Rufai as the sole defendant.