The High Court of Kaduna State has dismissed a fresh application for bail filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, after the National Hospital, Abuja, denied issuing the medical report he relied on to support his request.
Justice D. H. Khobo, in a ruling delivered on June 29, 2026, rejected El-Rufai's third bail application, which was filed on medical grounds in the ongoing criminal case brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
A key issue before the court was a medical report attached to the application as Exhibit "A."
The report, purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, stated that the former governor had been diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer requiring specialised treatment not available in Nigeria.
However, the ICPC challenged the authenticity of the document by presenting a letter from the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud, stating that the hospital did not issue the report.
According to the hospital, checks of its electronic medical records and patient database found no hospital number, patient file, consultation history, billing record or any evidence that El-Rufai had ever received treatment at the facility. It further stated that the document was produced without the knowledge or authorisation of the hospital's management.
After reviewing the evidence, the court held that the credibility of the medical report had been seriously undermined because it had been disowned by the institution whose letterhead it carried. Justice Khobo ruled that the document could not be relied upon as the basis for granting bail on medical grounds.
The court consequently found that there was no credible or independently verified medical evidence to justify granting the application.
Despite refusing the bail request, the court directed the ICPC to continue allowing El-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal doctors and to ensure he is escorted to any specialised diagnostic or medical facility of his choice within Nigeria whenever necessary during the trial.
Reacting to the decision, the ICPC described the ruling as a reaffirmation that applications for bail on medical grounds must be backed by credible and verifiable evidence.
The commission also reiterated its commitment to conducting investigations and prosecutions professionally while respecting the constitutional rights of all persons standing trial.
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