The Court of Appeal in Kaduna has reserved judgement in an appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the refusal of his bail application by the Kaduna State High Court. The presiding judge, Hon. Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, reserved judgement after hearing arguments from counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and El-Rufai.
The ICPC's lead counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe, argued that the Kaduna State High Court was right to refuse El-Rufai's bail application, adding that the former governor had filed three separate bail applications before the trial court, all of which were refused. Adedipe said the appellant failed to disclose to the Court of Appeal that the third application had equally been refused, describing the appeal as unmeritorious.
Counsel to El-Rufai, Paul Erokoro, SAN, urged the court to overturn the decision of the lower court and grant his client bail pending the determination of the charges against him. Erokoro argued that the offences for which El-Rufai was charged were not capital offences and that there was no justification for denying him bail, adding that bail was a constitutional right except in capital offences.
Erokoro also stated that keeping El-Rufai in ICPC custody was making it difficult for him to adequately prepare his defence, as his detention had made access to his lawyers and witnesses difficult and could affect confidential communication between the defendant and his legal team. He described El-Rufai as a prominent opposition figure, arguing that it was not surprising that criminal charges were filed against him close to an election.
The ICPC counsel, Adedipe, while briefing newsmen shortly after the court session, said he urged the appellate court to dismiss the appeal. Adedipe explained that the first application was dismissed, while the second was also rejected after El-Rufai failed to show any exceptional circumstances to warrant another bail application.
The Court of Appeal refused to fix a date for the judgement, leaving El-Rufai's fate uncertain. The former governor's detention has been a subject of controversy, with his lawyers and supporters arguing that it is a ploy to prevent him from participating in the upcoming elections.
The appeal court's decision will have significant implications for El-Rufai's future, as well as the country's political landscape. The court's judgement is expected to set a precedent for similar cases in the future, and Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the outcome.
Key points
- The Court of Appeal in Kaduna has reserved judgement in an appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
- El-Rufai's lawyers argue that his detention is making it difficult for him to prepare his defence.
- The ICPC counsel urged the appellate court to dismiss the appeal, describing it as unmeritorious.
