Honourable Justice D. H. Khobo delivered a considered ruling on 29th June 2026 on the defendant’s third application for bail, this time on medical grounds.

A central issue considered by the Court was the medical report relied upon by Mallam El-Rufai in support of his application.
The report, annexed to the application as Exhibit “A” and purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja, claimed that the former Governor had been diagnosed with an advanced metastatic prostate cancer requiring a specialised treatment said to be unavailable anywhere in Nigeria.

In opposing the application, the ICPC presented documentary evidence from the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud, disclaiming the document relied upon by the defendant.

According to the document from the National Hospital issued by the Chief Medical Director, 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 hospital further confirmed that the report was issued without the knowledge or authorisation of its management.

Relying on this evidence, the Court held that the credibility and reliability of the medical report had been fundamentally undermined, and that 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.

With the collapse of that evidentiary foundation, the Court found no reliable and institutionally validated material facts to justify the exercise of judicial discretion in favour of bail on health grounds.

In refusing the application, the Court also ordered that 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 specialised diagnostic or clinical facility of his choice within Nigeria as required, throughout the pendency of the trial.

The Commission notes that this order is consistent with its existing practice and reaffirms 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 remains committed to conducting all investigations and prosecutions with professionalism, fairness and respect for the rule of law, while ensuring that every person brought before the courts is accorded all rights guaranteed under the Constitution and other applicable laws.

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The prominent political figure—who previously admitted via a broadcasted interview to intercepting electronic messages belonging to the National Security Adviser—faces litigation by the domestic intelligence department over claims of compromising sovereign safety.

Presiding jurist Joyce Abdulmalik, during the legal evaluation of the release request, institutionalized a sequence of exceptionally rigorous demands that the accused party must satisfy prior to securing absolute processing.

The judicial authority decreed that the volunteering guarantor must occupy an upscale residence situated exclusively within Abuja’s elite suburbs, while simultaneously surrendering primary land ownership documentation directly to the registry department.

Furthermore, this individual must maintain active employment within the federal administrative structure at a rank equivalent to an elite directorate status, furnishing verifiable wage documentation spanning a minimum quarter-year period, verified officially by a financial institution executive operating locally.

The adjudicator additionally commanded the guarantor to formalize a sworn wealth declaration, execute a legal indemnity contract, and deliver a contemporary portrait to the administrative staff.

To ensure strict compliance with the ongoing trial, the high-profile politician is mandated to yield every legitimate overseas travel document to the repository.

Correspondingly, an official confirmation dispatch originating from the guarantor’s professional sector must be provided, accompanied by state revenue payments validating the immediate half-year period.

Justice Abdulmalik explicitly instructed the individual under trial to present himself at the secret police command center during the final Friday morning of each calendar block exactly at the designated hour to endorse an oversight roster until the litigation concludes.

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BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday denied  to grant bail to former governor Nasir El-Rufai, stating that his influence might allow him to obstruct ongoing probes.

According to Justice Darius Khobo,  the accusations of financial misconduct are serious enough to warrant keeping him in custody.

He stated that his lawyers will promptly contest the ruling by submitting the required legal documents.

The defence team further claims the charges are driven by political motives, arguing that the trial reflects that intention.

This development follows a previous decision by the Federal High Court in Kaduna, which had approved bail for El-Rufai under strict conditions, subject to meeting those requirements.

Nasir El-Rufai, is facing multiple charges in 2026, primarily involving alleged money laundering, financial crimes, and abuse of office. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned him on a nine-count charge, including allegations of diverting public funds and receiving proceeds of corruption amounting to over N579 million and $1.1 million.

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The development was confirmed in a brief statement by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye.

According to the statement, ICPC officials arrived at El-Rufai’s residence around 2 p.m. and immediately began searching the entire property.

El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the raid, describing it as “unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights”.

The ICPC, on Wednesday, confirmed that El-Rufai was in its custody in connection with an ongoing investigation.

“Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, is in our custody as of the close of work today, Wednesday, the 18th day of February, 2026. He is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations,” ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, had stated.

The Commission did not provide further details regarding the nature of the case.

His detention follows a series of allegations and engagements with security agencies.

On Friday last week, the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) confirmed receiving an invitation from the ICPC.

“Yesterday, after the futile attempt to abduct me, the ICPC delivered a letter inviting me to their office. My lawyer has written to confirm that I will be attending the ICPC office on Wednesday, 18 February 2026,” El-Rufai wrote on X.

About three days prior, the former governor had visited the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over allegations of financial improprieties during his tenure as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023.

Reports also emerged of security operatives attempting to arrest him upon his return from Cairo, Egypt.

El-Rufai later claimed that someone had “wiretapped” the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu’s phone, enabling him to intercept instructions for his arrest.

Subsequently, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai for allegedly intercepting Ribadu’s phone conversation.

Prosecutors said the allegation contravenes Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Sorcery Channels Television

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El-Rufai was reportedly released around 8:00 p.m. before being intercepted by DSS operatives said to have been waiting at the EFCC headquarters. Sources indicate that the arrest may be connected to allegations involving the unlawful interception of communications linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities have yet to issue an official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the development.

Details soon…

The post DSS Arrests El-Rufai Moments After Release by EFCC appeared first on Business Today NG.

El-Rufai and his partners in African Democratic Congress (ADC) are the most confused, clueless, rudderless and pitiful opposition politicians our country has ever known. They bring nothing to the political table except their oversized ego, wild entitlement mentality, obscene desperation and predatory presidential ambitions.

Beyond baseless headline attacks against the present administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC), El-Rufai and cohorts have not presented and, quite frankly, cannot present policy prescriptions with potential for more effectiveness than those already being implemented by the Tinubu administration, with strong indicators of success.

All three major contestants in the 2023 presidential election campaigned to remove fuel subsidy and harmonize multiple foreign exchange regimes in recognition of the urgency and seriousness of the country’s economic challenges. Upon his election and inauguration, President Tinubu swiftly implemented policy reforms as he promised.

After their crushing defeat at the polls, Atiku and Obi, seemingly, recanted their policy reform positions in order to justify sitting shamelessly at the table of hypocrisy and hurling invectives at President Tinubu and APC for implementing reform policies they also promised Nigerians.

If El-Rufai and his cohorts detest the administration’s policy reforms as much as they claim, why have they not presented policy proposals to restore fuel subsidy as it was and return the country to the ruinous era of fixing Naira’s value and operating multiple foreign exchange regimes that fed the greedy and insatiable appetite of the likes of El-Eufai, Atiku, Obi and Rotimi Amaechi for decades? And while at it, to tell Nigerians how they would finance the resultant massive deficit that would ground the economy to a devastating crumble.

El-Rufai’s claims are as mischievous as they are hollow. With a steady rebound in our economy and other indicators of verifiable progress in all sectors, including the ongoing revolution in agriculture; high performing stock exchange market; improved power generation and transmission; increased oil production at nearly 1.8mbpd; consistent trade surpluses; unprecedented infrastructural  development – with 420 roads and bridges underway; strategic retooling of our military capabilities with 49 advanced aircrafts; unprecedented NELFUND for students, with fast declining inflation and rising consumer confidence, and more, El-Rufai’s verdict of “poor governance and failed leadership” falls flat as no more than the rants of an inconsolable sulker.

The rejection of El-Rufai as a Minister cannot justify his allegation of clannishness against the administration. A senseless claim like that can only come from someone who haughtily equates his selfish interest with the interest of an entire ethnic nationality. President Tinubu is easily one of the most detribalized and patriotic Nigerians alive. No tribe, ethnic or religious group has been sidelined like El-Rufai wants Nigerians to believe.

For a former Governor who left a sordid legacy of obnoxious marginalisation of ethnic and religious minorities in Southern Kaduna; who sponsored sectarian violence and weaponised demolitions against innocent citizens; and hung a debt profile of N284 billion on tax payers, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO), El-Rufai is the poster child of bad governance and failed leadership.

It is now clear to all Nigerians that El-Rufai and his cohorts in ADC are on a mission to upend the presidential rotational principle designed to promote national unity and cohesion in the country through the imposition of Atiku as presidential candidate of ADC in the middle of a southern presidency rotation.

It was Atiku’s selfish and obdurate refusal to respect the rotation principle during the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election that directly resulted in PDP’s virtual cremation. El-Rufai and Atiku want to do to Nigeria what Atiku did to PDP. El-Rufai, Atiku and hijacked ADC constitute a clear and present threat to the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.

Nigeria is witnessing an era of visionary and transformational leadership under President Bola Tinubu. The administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda has fundamentally repositioned our nation for steady growth and progress.

We are confident that Nigerians will sustain their support for our great Party and renew President Tinubu’s mandate come 2027, to consolidate on what now looks to be the most outstanding first term record of achievement of any President in our nation’s history.

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