By Ayomide Otitoju
The Court of Appeal in Kaduna has dismissed an appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai challenging the state High Court’s decision to deny him bail.
In its judgment in Appeal No. CA/K/254C/2026, the appellate court affirmed the lower court’s ruling, holding that the trial judge exercised his discretion judicially and judiciously, with no miscarriage of justice.
The three-member panel, in a unanimous decision, held that El-Rufai had failed to present fresh facts or special circumstances to 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, upheld the Kaduna State High Court’s rejection of 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, describing it as incompetent. It resolved the sole issue for determination against the former governor and in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The court held that it would not interfere with a trial court’s findings of fact unless they were shown to be perverse. It subsequently dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.
The substantive trial is scheduled to begin on October 12, 2026.
The ruling came days after Justice Darious Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court rejected El-Rufai’s bail and recusal applications.
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 18, 2026, according to the report.
