El-Rufai denied bail over alleged fake cancer report

By Precious Mark

The High Court of Kaduna State has rejected a fresh attempt by former Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai to secure bail on health grounds in his ongoing trial over alleged corruption, abuse of office, and financial misconduct.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed this in an official statement on Thursday, following the ongoing criminal proceedings instituted against the former governor regarding multi-billion Naira fraud allegations.

Honourable Justice D. H. Khobo delivered the considered ruling on June 29, 2026, on the defendant’s third application for bail, which was filed strictly on medical grounds.

At the center of the legal battle was a medical report relied upon by Mallam El-Rufai, which was attached to his application as Exhibit “A.” The report, purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, claimed the former governor had advanced metastatic prostate cancer requiring specialized treatment unavailable anywhere in Nigeria.

However, the anti-graft agency strongly opposed the application by presenting documentary evidence from the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud, who completely disclaimed the document.

“A comprehensive search of the hospital’s electronic medical records and patient indexes revealed no hospital number, patient file, billing record, consultation history, or any evidence that the defendant had ever been treated at the facility,” the Chief Medical Director stated in the document.

The hospital management further confirmed that the controversial medical report was generated completely without its knowledge or authorization.

Relying on this disclaimer, the court held that the credibility and reliability of the medical document had been fatally compromised.

“A document formally disowned by the very institution on whose letterhead it was issued could not serve as the foundation for the exceptional relief sought by the applicant,” Justice Khobo ruled.

With the collapse of that evidentiary foundation, the court found no reliable and institutionally validated material facts to justify exercising judicial discretion in favor of granting bail on health grounds.

In refusing the application, the court, however, directed the anti-graft agency to ensure the defendant maintains access to proper medical attention during his detention.

“The Commission shall continue to provide the defendant with unrestricted access to his personal medical physicians and shall ensure that he is escorted to any specialized diagnostic or clinical facility of his choice within Nigeria as required, throughout the pendency of the trial,” the Court ordered.

The ICPC noted that this directive aligns perfectly with its existing operational practices and restated its commitment to full compliance.

“The ICPC welcomes the Court’s ruling as a reaffirmation of the principle that applications for bail on medical grounds must be supported by credible and verifiable evidence and determined strictly in accordance with the law,” the commission stated.