Demands for an immediate bail of the opposition politician

By ‎Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa

‎‎As the legal battle rages on between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) versus Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufa’i, a faith-based civil liberties organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has observed with concern how El-Rufai’s bail request is becoming more complicated and intractable.

The human rights advocacy group was shocked to observe that the latest bail application filed by El-Rufai’s team of lawyers was hinged on an allegedly ‘questionable’ medical report purportedly obtained from the National Hospital, Abuja.

Despite the fact that MURIC has been publicly defending El-Rufa’i and consistently demanding his release, we cannot however compromise our principles of standing for the truth and fairness as we advocate for the fundamental rights of every Nigerian believed to have been wronged or being unjustly persecuted.

‎‎This position was enunciated in a statement signed by the Kano State Chairman and the Coordinator of MURIC’s Northern States and Abuja, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa on Monday, 6th July, 2026.

‎‎The human rights organization further elaborated:

‎‎”We were shocked to learn that the latest bail application being the third filed by the team of El-Rufai’s lawyers was hinged on health grounds and an allegedly suspicious medical report purportedly obtained from the National Hospital, Abuja was presented to the court as evidence, but which the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmud, disowned in a written response to the request made by the ICPC, alleging that it ‘was issued without the knowledge or authorisation of the management.’

“This was the reason a Kaduna High Court dismissed the third bail application filed by the former Kaduna State governor, in its ruling on Monday, 29th June, 2026.

‎‎”The judge held that the medical report, which has been disowned by the issuing agency, cannot serve as the foundation for the reliefs sought by the former governor.

“If it turns out to be true that the medical report was ‘forged’ in an attempt to secure a bail for the former governor, we view this as most unfortunate, highly disturbing and worrisome.

“Notwithstanding, barring all intrigues, manoeuvres and manipulations which this type of case may have attracted, the buck stops at the table of El-Rufai’s lawyers as the former governor could not have obtained the documents by himself.

‎‎”As a reminder to the public, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has been a vocal defender of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, amid his recent legal and political controversies.

‎‎”It would be recalled that MURIC repeatedly demanded that authorities should respect his fundamental human rights, allow him family visits, and grant him access to medical attention, of which the latest ruling by the Kaduna High Court similarly issued an order that the ICPC should ensure that el-Rufai has unrestricted access to his personal physicians and escort him to any specialised diagnostic or clinical facility of his choice within Nigeria during the period of the trial.

“However, our current position, as stated earlier, was purely inspired by Allah’s injunction, which says: _’O believers! Stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate ˹from justice˺. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then ˹know that˺ Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do’_ (Qur’an 4:135).

“Therefore, as El-Rufai is facing another separate charges at the federal high court in Kaduna on Monday 6th July, 2026, we charge his team of lawyers and supporters to face the litigations with facts and decorum and allow the courts treat his cases on merit. Anything for presentation to the court must have passed the necessary integrity test

“To draw the curtains, we charge the courts to observe the sanctity of justice and treat El-Rufai’s case by dispensing justice impartially and upholding the rule of law fairly and justly without being swayed by any sentiment.”

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).