A Kaduna High Court has rejected a fresh bail application filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, after the National Hospital Abuja denied issuing the medical report presented in support of his request.   According to TheCable, the ruling was delivered by Justice Darius Khobo, who dismissed the third bail application filed by el-Rufai in his ongoing trial over a nine-count charge brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ICPC said the application was based on a medical report claiming that el-Rufai had advanced metastatic prostate cancer requiring specialised treatment unavailable in Nigeria. However, the anti-graft agency presented documentary evidence from the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja, stating that a search of the hospital’s records found no evidence that el-Rufai had ever been treated there. According to the ICPC, the hospital also stated that the medical report was issued without the knowledge or authorisation of its management. Justice Khobo ruled that the disputed medical report could not form the basis for granting bail after it had been disowned by the hospital. The court nevertheless directed the ICPC to allow el-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal doctors and to escort him to any specialised diagnostic or medical facility of his choice within Nigeria while his trial continues. El-Rufai is facing nine counts of alleged conferment of benefit under false pretences and dishonest disposal of loan funds. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The former governor has remained in ICPC custody since February after being released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. His earlier bail applications were also refused, although he was temporarily released in March to attend his mother’s burial. The ICPC is also prosecuting el-Rufai in a separate case before the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

Political parties are making a final push to meet the July 11 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the submission of presidential and National Assembly nomination forms ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.   According to The PUNCH, political parties must submit completed Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E through INEC’s online nomination portal by 6pm on Saturday, July 11, in line with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026. So far, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has submitted the names of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has uploaded the nomination of Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, has yet to officially announce his running mate, although Vice President Kashim Shettima is widely expected to retain the position. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sandy Onor, is also yet to unveil a running mate. The report noted that the APC may adopt the same strategy it used before the 2023 election by submitting a placeholder vice-presidential candidate before replacing the nominee ahead of INEC’s August 22 substitution deadline. Party sources told The PUNCH that the APC has already uploaded the Senate nomination forms of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, and several National Assembly candidates. An APC source said the nomination process has progressed smoothly, adding that the party expects to upload the President’s nomination and that of his running mate before the deadline. Meanwhile, the PDP says it has completed about 60 per cent of the upload of its National Assembly candidates. National Organising Secretary Umar Bature attributed the remaining delay to the late submission of documents by some candidates but expressed confidence that the exercise would be concluded within the timetable. INEC is expected to publish the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates on August 1, while governorship and state assembly candidates will be published on August 29.

A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has said the US government will closely monitor how Nigeria conducts its 2027 general elections.   Speaking in an interview with NoireTV published on Monday, Moore said both he and the US administration would pay close attention to the conduct and outcome of the polls. “We’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed. That’s something that myself and the administration are going to be paying very close attention to,” he said. Moore also revealed that the US House of Representatives is considering legislation that could significantly affect relations with Nigeria, particularly regarding religious freedom and security cooperation. According to the lawmaker, the proposed appropriations bill, also known as the State Foreign Operations Bill, contains provisions relating to Nigeria, including the persecution of Christians, restrictions on US security assistance, and conditions the Nigerian government must meet. He said the bill is expected to become law after consideration by the House. Moore added that he would continue discussions on the issue with Donald Trump, describing it as an issue of importance to the US president. The congressman is a co-sponsor of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced alongside Chris Smith in February. The proposed legislation seeks to impose conditions on US financial assistance to Nigeria until the government addresses violent attacks in parts of the country. The comments come as political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections gradually gather momentum.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has visited worshippers from Eda-Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area who were released after spending more than two months in captivity.   According to Channels Television, the governor met the survivors on Sunday at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), where they are receiving medical treatment following their release on Saturday. Sharing details of the visit on his official X account, Oyebanji said he was encouraged by the victims’ recovery, especially after a young child regained consciousness. He announced that the Ekiti State Government would cover the full cost of the survivors’ medical treatment and psychological rehabilitation. The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving security across the state, describing security as a fundamental human right. He said the state government would continue working with President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to eliminate criminal elements operating in Ekiti. Oyebanji commended the Eda-Oniyo community and security personnel for their efforts, praising their bravery and cooperation during the ordeal. A community representative and former commissioner, Rufus Ajayi, revealed that residents borrowed money to raise a ₦25.5 million ransom despite losing one person during the incident. He, however, supported the government’s position against paying ransom, warning that it could encourage more kidnappings. The worshippers were abducted in April 2026 when gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked an open-air revival organised by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eda-Oniyo. The attackers reportedly opened fire on the congregation, killing the revivalist, Pastor Aregbe, injuring several worshippers and abducting others. The incident sparked widespread outrage across Ekiti, with residents staging protests in early June over the prolonged captivity of the victims.