Kaduna — The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed an appeal by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai challenging a High Court decision that refused him bail.
In a unanimous judgment delivered in Appeal Number CA/K/254C/2026, the three-member appellate panel affirmed the ruling of the Kaduna State High Court. The justices held that the trial judge exercised his discretion judicially and judiciously and that no miscarriage of justice occurred.
The Court of Appeal found that El-Rufai failed to establish fresh facts or special circumstances that would justify overturning the lower court’s decision of June 10, 2026. The panel, led by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, stated there was “no merit in this appeal” and upheld the High Court’s order for an accelerated, day-to-day hearing of the criminal case.
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 18, 2026. Prosecutors had argued that certain public statements he made raised concerns about possible interference with the administration of justice.
The former governor’s second bail application was rejected by the High Court earlier this year. Dissatisfied with that outcome, he approached the Court of Appeal, which has now upheld the refusal.
This report is based on information published by Channels Television on its official X account and confirmed by multiple Nigerian news outlets, including the Channels TV website and Punch.
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