The Federal High Court in Kaduna has granted former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, permission to receive medical attention while in custody, following a request by his legal team. The development was disclosed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday, during proceedings in the ongoing trial involving allegations of money laundering and corruption.
El-Rufai is standing trial alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga, on a 10-count charge before Justice Rilwan Aikawa. The charges border on alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Both defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to a statement issued by the ICPC spokesman, John Odey, the application for medical access formed part of submissions made by the defence during proceedings, which also addressed a request for variation of existing bail conditions. “In the course of proceedings, the defence counsel also made a compassionate plea urging the court to direct the Commission to allow the defendant access to medical treatment, specifically for dental and eye care, at designated facilities in Abuja,” the statement partly read.
The defence specifically sought approval for El-Rufai to receive treatment at Mile Dental Clinic and Skipper Eye-Q Hospital in Abuja. Ruling on the request, Justice Aikawa approved the application and directed that the defendant be escorted by the commission under strict supervision to the medical facilities whenever necessary, and returned to custody immediately after treatment. The court further emphasised that all movements relating to the medical visits must remain under the supervision of the commission.
Odey stated that the ICPC would comply with the court’s directive while ensuring the defendant remains in lawful custody pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions. El-Rufai had earlier been granted bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum, while the administrative bail earlier granted to the second defendant was adopted by the court. The case was adjourned to May 7, 2026, for a ruling on the application seeking variation of the bail conditions.
