A fresh twist has emerged in the legal battle involving former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai after a federal high court approved a special request during ongoing proceedings.
The court sitting in Kaduna granted el-Rufai permission to receive medical treatment in Abuja while remaining in custody under the supervision of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The development has attracted public attention because the former governor remains on trial over alleged fraud and money laundering charges.
According to the court ruling, el-Rufai will be allowed to visit selected medical centres for dental and eye treatment whenever necessary.
The update was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday by the commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey.
The ICPC medical treatment approval followed an application filed by el-Rufai’s legal team before the court.
“Ruling on this application, the court granted the request and directed the ICPC to convey Mallam El-Rufai, under strict supervision, to medical facilities of his choice, including Mile Dental Clinic and Skipper Eye-Q Hospital, Abuja, whenever the need arises, and to return him to custody immediately after such treatment,” the statement read.
“The court emphasized that all such movements shall remain under the strict supervision of ICPC.”
Meanwhile, the court proceedings have continued to generate reactions due to the high-profile nature of the case.
El-Rufai and co-defendant Joel Adoga were arraigned before the court on March 24 over alleged financial crimes involving fraud and money laundering.
However, both men pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against them.
Furthermore, the court had earlier adjourned the bail hearing to March 31 before later granting the former governor bail in April.
According to the ICPC spokesperson, the court approved bail for el-Rufai in the sum of N200 million with two sureties.
In addition, the court also confirmed the administrative bail earlier granted to Adoga.
Odey explained that the latest hearing focused mainly on the request for a review of the existing bail conditions.
“Wednesday’s proceedings came up for the hearing of El-Rufai’s motion seeking variation of the bail conditions earlier granted by the court,” he said.
“At the proceedings, Dr. Agada Akogwu appeared for the prosecution, while Oluwole Olaniyan SAN led a team of defence counsel that adopted the motion for variation of bail conditions, while prosecution counsel adopted a counter-affidavit in opposition to the application.”
After listening to arguments from both legal teams, the court fixed May 7 for its ruling on the matter.
Moreover, the case has remained one of the most closely watched political legal battles in recent months.
