The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed the appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the decision of the Kaduna State High Court refusing his bail application.
In its judgment delivered on Thursday in appeal number: CA/K/254C/2026, the appellate court affirmed that the trial court exercised its discretion judicially and judiciously in refusing the former governor’s bail application.
The certified true copy of the judgment was sighted on Friday in Abuja.
The appellate court held that El-Rufai’s appeal lacked merit and found no miscarriage of justice in the trial judge’s decision.
The appellate court also found deficiencies in the affidavit the former governor relied on to seek bail.
It held that the lower court’s findings provided no sufficient grounds for appellate interference.
During proceedings, counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ayodeji Adedipe, had argued that El-Rufai previously filed three separate bail applications before the trial court, all of which were refused.
The prosecution maintained that the former governor failed to establish sufficient grounds to warrant overturning the trial court’s decision.
However, El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, argued that the offences were bailable and that his client’s continued detention could undermine his ability to prepare an effective defence.
In dismissing the appeal, the Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s ruling, effectively sustaining the refusal of bail pending further proceedings.
The decision represents another significant judicial development in the ongoing prosecution of the former governor over alleged financial infractions linked to his administration.
The substantive trial is scheduled to commence on Oct. 12, 2026.
El-Rufai had denied wrongdoing, and the allegations against him remain subject to judicial determination.
