In a statement issued on Monday by its Kano State Chairman and Coordinator for the Northern States and Abuja, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, the faith-based civil rights group said although it had consistently defended El-Rufai’s fundamental rights and called for his release, it could not compromise the principles of truth, justice and fairness.
MURIC said it was disturbed that the third bail application filed by El-Rufai’s legal team was based on health grounds and supported by what it described as a questionable medical report purportedly issued by the National Hospital, Abuja.
According to the group, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Muhammad Raji Mahmud, reportedly disowned the document in a written response to an inquiry by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), stating that it was issued without the knowledge or authorisation of the hospital’s management.
The group said the disputed report was one of the reasons the Kaduna High Court dismissed El-Rufai’s third bail application on June 29, 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,” MURIC stated.
It added that if the allegations that the document was forged were proven true, the development would be “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,” the organisation said.
MURIC recalled that it had remained one of El-Rufai’s strongest defenders throughout his legal challenges, repeatedly demanding that his fundamental rights be respected, including access to family members and adequate medical care.
The group noted that the Kaduna High Court had also directed the ICPC to grant El-Rufai unrestricted access to his personal physicians and escort him to any specialised diagnostic or clinical facility of his choice within Nigeria during the trial.
Citing Qur’an 4:135, MURIC said its position was guided by the Islamic injunction to uphold justice, even when it concerned close associates or individuals it had previously supported.
The organisation urged El-Rufai’s legal team and supporters to allow the courts determine the matter strictly on its merits and ensure that all documents presented before the court met the highest standards of integrity.
It also called on the judiciary to dispense justice impartially, uphold the rule of law and resist any form of external pressure or sentiment in determining the case.
