KADUNA — Former Governor Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State has filed a petition with the Chief Judge of the Abuja Federal High Court, alleging bias by Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, who is presiding over his case against the Kaduna State House of Assembly at the Federal High Court in Kaduna. El-Rufa’i is seeking the transfer of his case to another judge to ensure impartiality and justice.
The petition, submitted by El-Rufa’i’s counsel, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, SAN, claims that Justice Aikawa has demonstrated bias, resulting in injustice and a denial of fair hearing for the former governor. The document requests that the Chief Judge of the Abuja Federal High Court reassign the case to another judge in the interest of justice.
According to the petition, “The Applicant herein filed this captioned suit to enforce his Fundamental Human Rights to fair hearing against the Respondents on the 26th day of June 2024 at the Federal High Court, Kaduna Division. Upon filing the same, the matter was assigned to Honourable Justice R.M. Aikawa, who fixed the same for hearing on the 8th day of July 2024.”
The petition details an incident during the hearing on July 8, 2024, where S.S. Umoru, representing El-Rufa’i, appeared before the court, as did Sani Katu, SAN, representing the first respondent, and Sule Shuaibu, SAN, the Attorney-General of Kaduna State, representing the second respondent. During this session, Umoru informed the court that they had received processes from the second respondent and were still within the allowable time to respond. However, Katu noted that the first respondent had not filed any processes and was late by one day.
El-Rufa’i’s counsel argues that these proceedings reflect a bias in the handling of the case, prompting the former governor to seek a reassignment to ensure a fair hearing.
The case revolves around allegations involving N423 billion, prompting El-Rufa’i to file a lawsuit to protect his fundamental human rights. The former governor’s move to petition the Chief Judge highlights his concerns over judicial impartiality and the need for fair legal proceedings.
El-Rufa’i has urged the Chief Judge to consider the petition seriously and ensure that justice is served by transferring the case to another judge, thereby maintaining the integrity of the judicial process. The legal community and public will be watching closely as this situation unfolds, given the significant implications for judicial fairness and the rule of law.
