By Chimezie Godfrey
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday appeared before the Federal High Court in Kaduna for arraignment on charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to a post on X by Muyiwa Adekeye media aide to El-Rufai, the defence raised concerns over the presiding judge, Justice R. M. Aikawa, citing a pending petition before the National Judicial Council.
Adekeye noted that El-Rufai’s lawyers reminded the court that their client had an existing petition against the judge pending before the National Judicial Council (NJC).
He noted, “Surprised that Justice R. M. Aikawa was presiding over the matter, El-Rufai’s legal team reminded the court of their client’s petition against the judge which is pending before the NJC.”
Justice Aikawa, however, ruled that he would proceed with the arraignment of the defendants and consider any application for recusal if formally presented.
As stated, “Justice Aikawa ruled that he would at least conduct the arraignment of the two defendants, and hear the matter of his recusal if counsel would bring it by way of a formal written application.”
The court subsequently adjourned proceedings to March 31, 2026, for the hearing of bail applications and other motions filed on behalf of El-Rufai and his co-defendant, Mr. Joel Adoga.
The development follows an earlier judgment by the Kaduna Division of the Court of Appeal on March 17, 2026, which set aside a previous ruling by Justice Aikawa in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai against the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
The appellate court held that the former governor had been denied fair hearing and ordered the Federal High Court to rehear the case.
That ruling had triggered an earlier petition against Justice Aikawa by El-Rufai’s counsel.
In the petition dated July 18, 2024, counsel to El-Rufai, AU Mustapha, SAN, accused the judge of bias and denial of fair hearing, and requested reassignment of the case to another judge.
When the request was not granted, the defence pursued an appeal, which was eventually upheld.
A second petition, dated February 12, 2025, was also submitted by El-Rufai to the Chief Justice of Nigeria in her capacity as Chairman of the NJC, accusing Justice Aikawa of bias, injustice, and conduct unbecoming of a judicial officer.
Adekeye further disclosed that reminders were sent to the Chief Justice in November 2025 and March 2026, urging expedited action.
He added that the latest correspondence requested the transfer of all related cases, stating that this should be done “as a prudent interim measure to restore impartiality and safeguard judicial processes.”