The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed an appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the refusal of his bail application by the Kaduna State High Court.
The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, ruled that El-Rufai had failed to present fresh facts or special circumstances that would justify overturning the lower court’s decision.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, upheld the ruling of the Kaduna State High Court, which rejected the former governor’s second bail application on June 10, 2026.
The court held that the trial judge acted within the scope of his judicial discretion and found no evidence of a miscarriage of justice that would warrant appellate intervention.
“There is no merit in this Appeal. It fails and is hereby dismissed. The ruling of the lower Court delivered on 10/6/2026 is hereby affirmed,” the lead judgment stated.
The appellate panel also struck out a reply brief filed by El-Rufai’s legal team on September 29, describing the document as incompetent.
During the proceedings, the court considered arguments from the prosecution concerning statements allegedly made by the former governor that could raise concerns about possible interference with the administration of justice.
The prosecution had also cited an interview El-Rufai granted Arise Television on April 26, 2026, during which he allegedly admitted to intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
However, the court clarified that its consideration of these issues in determining the bail application did not amount to a finding of guilt. El-Rufai retains the constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The former governor, who served Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, is facing prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial offences linked to his administration. He has denied wrongdoing.
El-Rufai had approached the Court of Appeal after the state high court refused his request for bail. The appellate court’s decision means the earlier ruling denying him release remains in force.
The court also upheld the order for an accelerated hearing of the substantive case, directing that proceedings should continue on a day-to-day basis as far as practicable.
The trial is scheduled to commence on October 12, 2026.
The ruling marks another setback for the former governor’s efforts to secure release from ICPC custody while his criminal case proceeds.
