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Why El-Rufai’s Bail Application Was Denied

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A Kaduna State High Court has denied bail to former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, in an ongoing trial over alleged financial misconduct.

Delivering a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Darius Khobo held that it was in the interest of justice for the defendant to remain in custody to ensure his availability for trial.

El-Rufai was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on a nine-count charge bordering on the alleged conferment of benefits under false pretences and dishonest disposal of loan funds.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to the court, the bail application was supported by a 24-paragraph affidavit, in which the former governor argued that the offences were non-capital.

He also cited his status as a former governor, his strong community ties, and his voluntary return to Nigeria from Egypt.

El-Rufai further claimed that he had underlying health conditions requiring specialist care.

The anti-corruption agency opposed the bail request, filing a counter-affidavit.

The ICPC argued that the offences were “economically sabotaging” and raised concerns about possible interference with witnesses and ongoing investigations.

It also described the defendant as a “flight risk with the means to evade trial due to his high standing in society.” The commission added that no medical evidence was provided to support claims of ill health.

In his ruling, Justice Khobo said the bail application relied heavily on El-Rufai’s status, describing it as “a double-edged sword.”

He noted that concerns raised by the ICPC about interference with investigations were significant.

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According to the certified true copy (CTC) of the ruling delivered on April 21, obtained by The Cable, the judge held that the prosecution made “weighty depositions” justifying the refusal of bail, adding that the defence failed to counter them with further evidence.

The judge said, “It is, however, noteworthy here that in spite of these weighty depositions in the Prosecution/Respondent’s counter affidavit, which sought to controvert the depositions in the Applicant’s supporting affidavit, the Applicant never deemed it fit to file a further and better affidavit to further controvert the said weighty depositions in the Prosecution/Respondent’s counter affidavit.

“In the instant case, therefore, failure to file a further affidavit by the applicant to further controvert the above-outlined weighty depositions in the Respondent’s counter affidavit leaves the said weighty depositions in the counter affidavit unchallenged and deemed to be admitted as being correct, and I so hold.

“The law is trite: if in an application for bail pending trial there is good reason to believe or strongly suspect that the accused will jump bail, thereby making himself unavailable to stand his trial, and/or will interfere with the witnesses, thereby constituting an obstacle in the way of justice, the Court will be acting within its undoubted discretion to refuse bail.

“In the instant application, the applicant alluded to facts that he has health conditions requiring specialist monitoring, but the applicant did not attach any medical evidence to substantiate his claim of ill-health.

“The law is settled that where an application for bail seeks to lay claim to ill-health, credible evidence in that branch of medicine ought to be made available before the court by the Applicant.

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“Accordingly, the Defendant/Applicant’s application for bail pending trial fails and is hereby REFUSED.

“The Defendant/Applicant shall remain in the custody of the Respondent (ICPC) pending the commencement of the trial.

“The Respondent/Prosecution is hereby ordered to ensure the trial of the Defendant commences expeditiously and shall be given an accelerated hearing by this Court on a day-to-day basis where practicable.”

Afterwards, the prosecutor and el-Rufai’s counsel agreed that the trial should commence the first week of June.

The case was then adjourned to June 1, 2, 3, and 4, 2026.

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ICE detains Nigerian man in Los Angeles, begins deportation process

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April 25, 2026

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Olatunde Abiodun Olusanjo, a 53-year-old Nigerian, has been arrested in Los Angeles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, as part of ongoing deportation proceedings.

According to ICE, Olusanjo was arrested on April 21, 2026, by its Enforcement and Removal Operations, ERO, unit and is currently being held pending further immigration action.

Authorities disclosed that his arrest is linked to previous criminal charges, including child molestation, sexual battery and solicitation of lewd conduct.

The agency noted that these allegations played a significant role in the decision to detain him.

ICE stated that Olusanjo had earlier encountered legal issues in the United States, with his criminal history contributing to the move to place him in custody and initiate removal proceedings.

The agency reiterated that its Enforcement and Removal Operations prioritises individuals with criminal records as part of its mandate to enhance public safety and enforce immigration laws.

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Tinubu borrowing billions to invest in Nigeria’s infrastructure – Presidency replies Emir Sanusi

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April 25, 2026

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Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said the current government has borrowed billions of dollars to invest in Nigeria’s infrastructure.

Bwala made the remark in response to a comment by the Emir of Kano, Muhammed Sanusi, saying that Nigeria invests between $30 billion and $100 billion every year to fix its infrastructure problems.

Posting on X, Bwala wrote: “Your Royal Highness, we are simply borrowing to invest in the most important areas of our economy, with infrastructure being the most crucial of them all.

“The lack of proper infrastructure needs at least $30 billion to $100 billion every year, but what we’re currently spending is not enough, so we have to borrow money.”

Sanusi had raised concerns about the Tinubu government still relying on borrowing even after removing the fuel subsidy, calling the situation financially inconsistent.

The Emir said that even though the subsidy system isn’t working in the long run, the benefits people were expecting from getting rid of it haven’t actually made them borrow less money.

He mentioned that Nigeria can no longer justify supporting foreign refineries as an oil-producing country.

The former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, also said that recent progress in domestic refining and exports is good for the economy.

The monarch also criticized the government’s way of managing money, stating that the savings from cutting subsidies should lead to less borrowing and clear signs of economic improvement.

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PHOTOS: ‘Our roads no more motorable’ – Ogbomoso residents appeal to Makinde, others

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April 25, 2026

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Residents of Orisunmibare Pakiotan in Ogbomoso North local government area, Oyo State, have declared that the roads linking the community with other parts of the town are no more motorable.

The residents appealed to the State government under the leadership of Engineer Seyi Makinde, the local government Chairman and other concerned authorities to come to their aid.

It was  reports that the community is located behind Ayanyan Cattle market and Ogbomoso Government Reserved Area along the new Ogbomoso/ Ilorin Expressway.

The residents lamented that the roads had become an eyesore.

A community leader, Dr Tobi Fajobi called on the State and local governments to come to their rescue.

Fajobi, who spoke on behalf of other members of the community on Friday, regretted that all the roads within the community were no more motorable.

He said, “We call on both the state and Ogbomoso North local governments to come to our aid in fixing this road and bridge.

“It is a new community with a large population and houses. The road is highly dilapidated, hence hindering free flow of traffic.

“Ideally, we should spend just 2-4 minutes to the junction, but due to the poor state of the road, we spend more than 15 minutes.

“The alternative routes are not also reliable as they’re not in good conditions apart from being too long to ply. We, therefore, appeal to them to assist us by urgently intervening.

“Since the state government’s contractors are presently doing good jobs in Ogbomoso, rehabilitating and constructing new roads and bridges, our plight should be considered”.

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