Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, requesting the reassignment of Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna from his ongoing criminal trial.
In a petition dated April 9, 2026, El-Rufai asked the CJN to transfer the case to another judge within the Kaduna division or take other administrative actions he believes are necessary to preserve the credibility of the judiciary and maintain public trust in the process.
He described Justice Aikawa’s continued handling of the matter as “legally and ethically untenable,” alleging concerns of bias, unresolved disciplinary complaints, and the judge’s refusal to withdraw from the case.
The trial, being heard at the Federal High Court, involves a 10-count charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission against El-Rufai and a co-defendant. The charges include alleged abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud involving ₦579.6 million and $1.1 million.
A bail hearing in the case has been scheduled for April 14.
El-Rufai’s latest request follows an earlier petition submitted in February 2025. In it, he cited multiple unresolved complaints of bias reportedly pending before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the National Judicial Council.
He also argued that the overlap of parties, jurisdiction, and related facts across previous and current proceedings creates an appearance of bias, even if actual bias is not established.
According to him, allowing Justice Aikawa to continue presiding over the trial could undermine public confidence in the judiciary and expose the proceedings to potential legal challenge on appeal.
El-Rufai further urged the CJN to direct the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to immediately reassign the case to another judge, and to refer the matter concerning the judge’s conduct to the appropriate NJC committee for review and possible administrative action.
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