Ex-Gov, El-Rufai to remain in custody as Appeal Court dismisses bail application

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is to remain in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following the dismissal of his appeal for bail by the Court of Appeal in Kaduna. The three-member appellate panel unanimously ruled that El-Rufai did not provide new facts or circumstances to overturn the lower court's decision to deny him bail.

Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi delivered the lead judgment, affirming the original refusal of bail by the Kaduna State High Court on June 10, 2026. El-Rufai, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, denies any wrongdoing and continues to challenge his detention. The appellate court upheld the lower court's decision, noting that the evidence presented by both parties supported the judge's decision.

El-Rufai had approached the appellate court after the state high court denied his second bail application. The appellate court also allowed for an accelerated hearing of the criminal trial, with proceedings to proceed daily as far as possible while El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody. The court found no evidence suggesting the prosecution failed to investigate the case diligently.

Concurring judgments from Justices Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo and Lateef Ganiyu supported the lead judgment, stating that El-Rufai did not present any new or compelling facts to justify a different outcome.