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Court of Appeal Upholds Kaduna Ex-Governor El-Rufai’s Bail Denial, Orders Accelerated Hearing
Court of Appeal Upholds Kaduna Ex-Governor El-Rufai’s Bail Denial, Orders Accelerated Hearing
The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed an appeal by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the refusal of his bail application by the Kaduna State High Court.
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The three-member appellate panel, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, held that El-Rufai failed to establish fresh facts or special circumstances warranting interference with the decision of the lower court.
The judgment, contained in a Certified True Copy obtained on Friday, affirmed the ruling of the Kaduna State High Court, which rejected the former governor’s second bail application on June 10, 2026.
The lead judgment was delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, who held that the trial judge exercised his discretion judicially and judiciously in refusing to grant the former governor bail.
In Appeal Number CA/K/254C/2026, the appellate court resolved the sole issue for determination against El-Rufai and in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“There is no merit in this appeal; it fails and is hereby dismissed. The ruling of the lower court delivered on 10/6/2026 is hereby affirmed,” Otisi held.
The court also struck out El-Rufai’s reply brief, filed on September 29, describing it as incompetent.
The appellate panel maintained that it would not interfere with the findings of a trial court unless the appellant demonstrated that the findings were perverse or that a miscarriage of justice had occurred.
In reaching its decision, the Court of Appeal considered arguments by the prosecution that certain public statements attributed to El-Rufai raised concerns about possible interference with the administration of justice.
The prosecution had argued that the former governor made remarks during a televised interview about defending his political legacy against individuals allegedly seeking to criminalise him.
It also referred to an interview on Arise Television on April 26, 2026, during which El-Rufai allegedly admitted to wiretapping the telephone line of the National Security Adviser.
According to the judgment as reported, El-Rufai acknowledged participating in the interview and facing a separate case relating to the subject matter.
The court considered the arguments within the context of the bail application and the evidence presented by both parties.
However, the appellate court stressed that its decision to uphold the denial of bail did not amount to a determination of El-Rufai’s guilt.
Justice Otisi emphasised that the former governor remained presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“Now, without doubt, by unequivocal constitutional provisions, the Appellant is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the judge stated.
The court explained that the trial court’s assessment of affidavit evidence concerning the possibility of interference with justice was not equivalent to a pronouncement of guilt.
The decision, therefore, concerned whether El-Rufai had established sufficient grounds for the appellate court to overturn the lower court’s refusal to grant him bail, rather than whether the allegations against him had been proved.
Before the judgment, El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, had urged the Court of Appeal to overturn the Kaduna State High Court’s decision and release his client pending the determination of the criminal charges against him.
During proceedings on October 6, Erokoro argued that the offences for which the former governor was being prosecuted were bailable and did not attract the death penalty.
The senior lawyer maintained that there was no justification for keeping his client in custody while he awaited trial.
He also argued that continued detention was making it difficult for El-Rufai to prepare his defence effectively, particularly regarding access to lawyers and witnesses.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which is prosecuting El-Rufai over alleged financial offences arising from his administration, had urged the appellate court to dismiss the appeal.
The commission’s lead counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe, argued during the October 6 proceedings that the Kaduna State High Court was right to refuse the bail application.
Adedipe told the court that El-Rufai had filed three separate bail applications before the trial court and that all three had been rejected.
According to the prosecution, the first application was dismissed, while the second was also rejected after the former governor failed to establish exceptional circumstances justifying another application.
El-Rufai
The prosecution further stated that a third bail application had subsequently been filed and dismissed, but El-Rufai chose to appeal against the ruling on the second application.
Adedipe argued that the former governor failed to disclose the rejection of the third application to the Court of Appeal.
He consequently urged the appellate panel to dismiss the appeal as unmeritorious.
The court ultimately upheld the ruling on the second application, finding that El-Rufai had not established sufficient grounds for appellate intervention.
Although the Court of Appeal refused to overturn the denial of bail, it upheld the order of the lower court for an accelerated hearing of the substantive criminal case.
The appellate court directed that proceedings should be conducted on a day-to-day basis as far as practicable while El-Rufai remained in the custody of the ICPC.
The panel also noted that no evidence had been presented to establish that the prosecution had failed to pursue the case diligently.
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News
Nigerian Navy Uncovers 31 Dug Out Pits, Recovers 62,050 litres of Suspected Stolen Petroleum Products in Rivers
Nigerian Navy Uncovers 31 Dug Out Pits, Recovers 62,050 litres of Suspected Stolen Petroleum Products in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered two suspected illegal refining sites containing approximately 62,050 litres of petroleum products in Ogbogolo community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, during an anti-crude oil theft operation on 8 September 2026.
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The operation, conducted by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, a unit under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, led to the discovery of 31 dugout pits containing about 58,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 4,050 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel. The team also recovered six sacks and one keg containing additional quantities of suspected illegally refined AGO.
The sites, located within the Orashi Forest and the wider Ogbogolo area, were handled in accordance with extant regulations. No arrest was made, as the suspects fled upon sighting the naval team.
Nigerian Navy
Operation DELTA SENTINEL, since inception, has led to numerous busts, reinforcing the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to eradicate illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta while denying perpetrators access to the facilities used to store and process petroleum products, thus protecting Nigeria’s oil resources and economic interests.
Signed
AA FOLORUNSHO
Captain (Nigerian Navy) Director Naval Information
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Governor Eno Directs MDAs, Contractors to Fast-Track Transport Projects for 2026 Delivery
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D., has directed relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and contractors to accelerate work on ongoing transportation projects across the state to ensure their completion and commissioning before the end of 2026.
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Governor Eno gave the directive on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during a comprehensive briefing on the progress of ongoing transport infrastructure and equipment projects by the responsible MDAs and contractors.
The governor stressed that the projects were designed to improve transportation services, enhance connectivity and provide residents with efficient and affordable mobility.
He expressed concern over delays in project execution, insisting that all relevant agencies and contractors must intensify their efforts to meet the stipulated deadlines and deliver the projects for public use.
ORON MARITIME PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION
Speaking on the Oron Maritime Infrastructure and Ferry Project, Governor Eno highlighted its potential to boost economic activities, promote tourism, strengthen maritime security and improve transportation across the state’s waterways.
He directed the relevant agencies and contractors to take all necessary measures to ensure the timely completion of the project, proper commissioning and smooth commencement of operations.
The Oron project is reportedly 85 per cent complete and comprises a terminal building, passenger jetty, cargo jetty, Joint Task Force (JTF) jetty, floating bar, warehouses, dry storage facilities, fish processing and drying sections, solar-powered cold rooms for fishmongers, and a recreational area.
When completed, the facilities are expected to facilitate passenger and cargo movement, improve fish preservation and processing, strengthen maritime security and support tourism development.
FERRIES, CNG BUSES ALSO UNDER REVIEW
Other projects reviewed during the briefing included the status of two ferries ordered by the state government, CNG buses and associated terminal infrastructure, alongside other transportation initiatives.
The governor charged the responsible MDAs and contractors to sustain the pace of work and ensure that the projects deliver their intended benefits to the people of Akwa Ibom State.
He further emphasised the importance of effective coordination, regular monitoring and prompt resolution of implementation challenges to achieve the year-end delivery target.
Umo Eno
Governor Eno reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure and expanding mobility options for residents through the timely delivery of ongoing projects.
Present at the briefing were the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson; Commissioner for Transport, Dr Anthony Luke; members of the State Executive Council; and other government officials.
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Navy Uncovers 25,000 Litres of Suspected Crude Oil in Delta
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered approximately 25,000 litres of substance suspected to be crude oil in a dugout reservoir in the Oteghele general area of Delta State, extending its recent operational gains against suspected crude oil theft in the area.
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The discovery was made by NNS DELTA on 8 October 2026, following credible intelligence. The reservoir and its contents were handled in accordance with established procedures.
The latest recovery brings the quantity of suspected crude oil uncovered by NNS DELTA in Oteghele to 65,000 litres within two consecutive days, following the discovery of approximately 40,000 litres on 7 October. The successive operations highlight the importance of maintaining pressure on locations used for the suspected storage of illicit petroleum resources.
Oil
Through these interventions, the Nigerian Navy is reinforcing its resolve to deny criminal operators the opportunity to exploit petroleum resources unlawfully and to sustain operations that protect Nigeria’s critical economic assets.
Signed AA FOLORUNSHO Captain (Nigerian Navy) Director Naval Information
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