The Court of Appeal in Kaduna has rejected former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s latest bail application. The court upheld the Kaduna State High Court’s decision to deny him bail on June 10, 2026. In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, the three-member panel found no fresh facts to justify a different decision. Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi delivered the lead judgment, dismissing the appeal. He stated,
“There is no merit in this appeal; it fails and is hereby dismissed.”
The court also considered the prosecution’s concerns about possible interference with justice. The prosecution cited El-Rufai’s remarks during an Arise Television interview on April 26, 2026. It also alleged that he admitted to wiretapping the National Security Adviser’s telephone line. However, the court stressed that these allegations did not establish his guilt. Justice Otisi reaffirmed that El-Rufai remains innocent until proven guilty. He explained that the trial court’s decision on bail did not amount to a finding of guilt.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai argued that his return to custody after attending his late mother’s burial showed he was not a flight risk. However, the prosecution claimed security agents accompanied and monitored him throughout the burial period. The appeal court also noted that photographs mentioned in his affidavit were missing from the application. Justice Otisi said,
“Courts are not allowed to act on speculations or conjecture to reach a decision, more so in our criminal jurisprudence.”
The court therefore upheld the lower court’s decision on this issue. The appellate court also upheld the order for an accelerated trial, with daily hearings where practicable. El-Rufai can return to the trial court to seek bail again if the prosecution fails to pursue the case diligently. Justices Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo and Lateef Ganiyu agreed with the lead judgment.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has been in ICPC custody since March 2026. The commission is investigating alleged financial offences and procurement irregularities linked to his administration. He has denied wrongdoing.
