The former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has submitted a petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, requesting the transfer of his case from Justice Aikawa to another judge.
In June 2024, El-Rufai filed a lawsuit challenging the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s probe report, which accused him of misappropriating ₦423 billion in public funds.
In his petition, El-Rufai contends that the Assembly’s report violated his constitutional right to a fair hearing and seeks to have the report declared null and void. During a recent hearing, Justice Aikawa adjourned the ruling after considering the respondents’ objections, despite the absence of El-Rufai’s counsel, Abdulhakeem Mustapha.
Unhappy with the proceedings being conducted without his representation, El-Rufai argued in his petition that the presiding judge’s decision to proceed without his counsel’s attendance demonstrated extreme bias, injustice, and a denial of a fair hearing. He urged the Chief Judge to reassign the case to ensure justice and fairness.