A Kaduna State High Court has dismissed a fresh bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai after the National Hospital Abuja disowned the medical report submitted to support his request for release.
Gatekeepers News reports that Justice Darius Khobo rejected the application, which was the third bail request filed by El-Rufai in the ongoing trial instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The former Governor had argued that he was suffering from advanced metastatic prostate cancer requiring specialised treatment unavailable in Nigeria.
During the proceedings, the ICPC presented documentary evidence from the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud, stating that the hospital had no record of El-Rufai ever receiving treatment there.
According to the commission, checks of the hospital’s electronic records found no patient file, hospital number, billing history or consultation record linked to the former Governor, while the hospital also said the report was issued without its knowledge or authorisation.
Ruling on the application, the judge held that a document disowned by the institution that allegedly issued it could not serve as the basis for granting bail on medical grounds.
The court, however, directed the ICPC to continue allowing El-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal doctors and to escort him to any specialised diagnostic or medical facility of his choice within Nigeria whenever necessary during the trial.
Recall that El-Rufai is facing a nine-count charge bordering on the alleged conferment of benefits under false pretences and the dishonest disposal of loan funds. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, while the trial continues.
