A Kaduna State High Court has dismissed the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, in his ongoing trial by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Darius Khobo held that the application lacked merit, ruling that the former governor failed to place sufficient material before the court to justify the exercise of its discretion in his favour.
The court also held that no exceptional circumstances were established to warrant the grant of bail at this stage of the proceedings.
El-Rufai is standing trial on a nine-count charge filed by the ICPC, bordering on alleged abuse of office, advance fee fraud, money laundering and other related offences.
The anti-graft agency had earlier amended the charge and separated the trial from that of a co-defendant, allowing the prosecution to proceed against the former governor separately.
El-Rufai had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In refusing the bail application, Justice Khobo ordered that the former governor remain in the custody of the ICPC pending the continuation of his trial.
The court, however, directed the anti-graft agency to grant El-Rufai unrestricted access to his medical team or any medical facility of his choice within Nigeria whenever necessary.
The order followed concerns raised by the defence over the former governor’s medical needs.
Justice Khobo subsequently adjourned the case to July 7 and 8, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The ruling marks another development in the corruption trial, which has attracted public attention since the ICPC commenced proceedings against the former governor.
The ICPC alleges that the offences arose from financial transactions and official actions linked to El-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
The former governor has denied wrongdoing and is expected to continue his defence as the matter proceeds before the court.