Bail Application: Court of Appeal rules against El-Rufai

The Court of Appeal in Kaduna on Friday upheld the state high court’s decision that denied former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai bail.

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The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal filed by Mr El-Rufai, challenging the decision of the Kaduna State High Court to deny him bail.

Delivering its judgment in Appeal Number CA/K/254C/2026, the Appellate Court affirmed the ruling of the lower court, holding that the trial judge exercised his discretion judicially and judiciously, with no miscarriage of justice.

In a unanimous decision, the three-member appellate panel held that Mr El-Rufai failed to establish fresh facts or special circumstances warranting interference with the lower court’s decision to deny him bail.

According to Channel Television, the lead judgement delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja-Otisi affirmed the ruling of the lower court, which refused the former governor’s second bail application on 10 June.

The court also struck out the appellant’s reply brief filed on 29 September, describing it as incompetent, while resolving the sole issue for determination against Mr El-Rufai and in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The appellate court held that it would not interfere with a trial court’s findings of fact where they were not shown to be perverse, and it dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.

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The substantive trial has been scheduled to commence on 12 October, 2026.

The development comes days after Justice Darious Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court rejected Mr El-Rufai’s bail and recusal applications.

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Mr El-Rufai’s ongoing prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) stems primarily from recommendations in a 2024 Kaduna State House of Assembly probe report that accused his 2015–2023 administration of mismanaging public funds.

The ICPC filed multiple charges against the former governor in federal and state courts, including one alleging that he tapped the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Mr El-Rufai has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining that his prosecution is politically motivated.

He remains in ICPC custody under court-authorised remand orders while his legal team challenges his continued detention.

Mr El-Rufai has been in ICPC detention since 18 February.