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The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed an appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai challenging the decision of the state’s High Court to deny him bail.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court affirmed the lower court’s ruling, holding that the trial judge exercised his discretion judicially and judiciously without causing a miscarriage of justice.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi in Appeal Number CA/K/254C/2026, found that El-Rufai had failed to establish fresh facts or special circumstances that would justify overturning the decision to deny him bail.
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The appeal challenged the Kaduna State High Court’s refusal of El-Rufai’s second bail application on June 10, 2026.
According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment, the appellate court also struck out El-Rufai’s reply brief, filed on September 29, describing it as incompetent.
The panel resolved the sole issue for determination against the former governor and in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It held that an appellate court would not interfere with a trial court’s findings of fact unless they were shown to be perverse.
Consequently, the court dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.
Credit: Reuters
El-Rufai’s trial set for October 12
The 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 been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission since February 18, 2026, and has spent nearly eight months in detention.
His substantive trial is scheduled to commence on October 12, 2026.
