₦423bn Probe: El-Rufai Accuses Judge Of Bias, Requests Case Transfer

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a petition accusing Justice R.M Aikawa of bias in the Federal High Court and has requested that his case be transferred to another judge.

El-Rufai’s petition to the Federal High Court Chief Judge follows his dissatisfaction with Justice Aikawa’s handling of his case. The former governor had challenged the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s report, which indicted him for the alleged misappropriation of ₦423bn in public funds.

In June 2024, El-Rufai filed a suit asserting that the Assembly’s report violated his constitutional right to a fair hearing. He sought a court declaration to nullify the report.

On Thursday, Justice Aikawa adjourned the ruling after hearing from the respondents, who presented their preliminary and substantive objections without El-Rufai’s counsel, Abdulhakeem Mustapha. This development prompted El-Rufai’s petition, citing concerns about bias and a denial of a fair hearing.

El-Rufai contended that the presiding judge’s decision to proceed without his counsel present indicated extreme bias and injustice. He has called for the case to be reassigned to another judge to ensure justice and a fair hearing.