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’s High Court to deny him bail.
In its judgment, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s ruling, stating that the trial judge exercised his discretion appropriately and that there was no miscarriage of justice.
The decision was delivered in Appeal Number CA/K/254C/2026 by a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal.
In a unanimous judgment, the panel held that El-Rufai had failed to present fresh facts or special circumstances that would justify overturning the earlier decision to deny him bail.
Court Upholds Earlier Bail Decision
According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment, the lead judgment was delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi.
The appellate court affirmed the Kaduna State High Court’s decision to reject El-Rufai’s second bail application on June 10, 2026.
The court also struck out a reply brief filed by El-Rufai on September 29, describing the document as incompetent.
The panel resolved the sole issue for determination against the former governor and in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It further maintained that an appellate court would not interfere with a trial court’s findings of fact unless those findings were shown to be perverse.
Based on these findings, the Court of Appeal dismissed El-Rufai’s appeal for lack of merit, leaving the lower court’s decision to deny him bail in place.
El-Rufai’s Trial Set to Begin October 12
The latest ruling comes days after Justice Darious Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court rejected El-Rufai’s bail and recusal applications.
The former governor 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.
Despite his latest legal setback, the substantive trial is scheduled to commence on October 12, 2026.
The Court of Appeal’s decision means El-Rufai’s attempt to overturn the denial of bail has been unsuccessful, as proceedings are expected to move forward at the lower court.
