The Court of Appeal Nigeria has nullified a Federal High Court judgment in a case filed by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, citing a violation of his right to a fair hearing.
In its ruling on appeal CA/K/240/2024, the appellate court held that proceedings conducted on July 18, 2024, were flawed, noting that El-Rufai was not properly served with hearing notice and was denied the opportunity to respond to the respondents’ counter-affidavit.
The court consequently declared the July 30, 2024 judgment delivered by the Federal High Court null and void for lack of jurisdiction. It further ordered that the case be returned to the lower court for reassignment to a different judge and a fresh hearing.
El-Rufai had approached the court in 2024 seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights, alleging that the Kaduna State House of Assembly denied him a fair hearing during its investigations.
The appellate court stressed that proper service of court processes is essential to jurisdiction, adding that denying a party the opportunity to present their case breaches due process. The ruling effectively gives the former governor another chance to pursue his claims.