Bolatito Mercy
The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed an appeal by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the decision of the state High Court to deny him bail.
In its judgment in Appeal No. CA/K/254C/2026, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s ruling, stating that the trial judge exercised his discretion judicially and judiciously without causing a miscarriage of justice.
The three-member panel unanimously ruled that El-Rufai failed to present fresh facts or special circumstances that would justify overturning the decision to deny him bail.
According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment, the lead judgment, delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, affirmed the Kaduna State High Court’s decision to reject El-Rufai’s second bail application on June 10, 2026.
The appellate court also struck out El-Rufai’s reply brief, filed on September 29, on the grounds that it was incompetent. It subsequently resolved the sole issue for determination against the former governor and in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The court maintained that it would not interfere with a trial court’s findings of fact unless they were shown to be perverse. It consequently dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.
Meanwhile, the substantive trial has been scheduled to commence on October 12, 2026.
The latest development follows the rejection of El-Rufai’s bail and recusal applications by Justice Darious Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court.
El-Rufai has reportedly spent nearly eight months in detention, having been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 18, 2026.
