Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday appeared at the Kaduna State High Court as proceedings resumed in his ongoing legal battle with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The court had previously adjourned the hearing on his bail application until April 14.
El-Rufai was earlier arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering. The ICPC alleges that the offences are linked to financial irregularities involving public assets during his time in office.
In a related development, El-Rufai has also submitted a petition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, requesting the reassignment of Justice R.M. Aikawa, who is presiding over the case at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
In the petition dated April 9, 2026, the former governor asked that the matter be transferred to another judge, arguing that it would help preserve public confidence in the judiciary. He described the judge’s continued handling of the case as “untenable,” citing alleged bias, pending disciplinary complaints, and refusal to recuse himself.
Justice Aikawa is currently overseeing the 10-count charge filed by the ICPC against El-Rufai and his co-defendant.
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