A Kaduna State High Court has denied the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the continuation of his trial.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, the court held that the bail application lacked sufficient merit and that the defence failed to present exceptional circumstances that would warrant the exercise of judicial discretion in favour of the former governor.
The court ruled that the defendant had not provided adequate evidence to justify his release on bail and subsequently directed that he remain in ICPC custody.
The case was adjourned to July 7 and July 8, 2026, for the continuation of hearing in the matter.
El-Rufai is facing allegations relating to corruption and other offences, which he has consistently denied. His legal team had urged the court to review the bail conditions and grant his release pending trial, arguing that he was entitled to bail and would not interfere with the judicial process.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the circumstances of the case did not justify granting bail and urging the court to allow the trial to proceed while the former governor remains in custody.
The latest ruling marks another setback for the former governor, whose legal troubles have attracted widespread public and political attention in recent months.
The proceedings are expected to continue in July, when both the prosecution and defence will return to court as the trial enters another phase.
The case has remained one of the country’s most closely watched legal battles, given El-Rufai’s prominence in Nigerian politics and his role as a former governor of Kaduna State and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
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