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.
