Nigeria, April 21 -- The Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday refused to grant former Governor Nasir El-Rufai's bail application.

The trial judge, Darius Khobo, rather set a new date for ruling on the former governor's bail application, according to the briefing PREMIUM TIMES received from sources that witnessed the proceedings. PREMIUM TIMES was not represented in court during Tuesday's hearing.

Our reporter gathered that the court ordered Mr El-Rufai to remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which has detained him since February, pending the ruling.

The judge granted an accelerated hearing in the trial and set 1 to 4 June for trial.

Mr El-Rufai is standing tri...