El-Rufai's Court Appearance: Legal Clash as Ex-Gov Seeks Judge Recusal in ICPC Case
The camp of former Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai has revealed details of a dramatic court session at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Court Adjournment and Recusal Request
Muyiwa Adekeye, media adviser to El-Rufai, explained that the court adjourned proceedings on the bail application for the former governor. This decision came after El-Rufai's legal team formally requested that the presiding judge, Justice R. M. Aikawa, recuse himself from the case.
The legal representatives reminded the court of a pending petition against Justice Aikawa, which has been submitted to the National Judicial Council (NJC). In response, Justice Aikawa ruled that he would proceed with the arraignment of the two defendants, including El-Rufai and co-defendant Joel Adoga, but would consider the recusal matter if presented through a formal written application.
The court has now scheduled further proceedings for March 31, 2026, to hear bail applications and any other motions filed on behalf of El-Rufai and Adoga.
Background of the Legal Dispute
This court appearance follows a significant ruling by the Court of Appeal on March 17, 2026, which set aside a previous decision by Justice Aikawa in a suit filed by El-Rufai against the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The appellate court, in judgment CA/K/240/2024, found that hearings at the trial court were invalid due to a breach of El-Rufai's right to a fair hearing.
The Court of Appeal determined that the lower court had convened on July 18, 2024, without evidence that El-Rufai was served a hearing notice, thereby denying him the opportunity to participate. Additionally, the court noted that the former governor was not given a chance to respond to a counter-affidavit by the respondents, which constituted a violation of due process.
As a result, the Court of Appeal nullified Justice Aikawa's rulings from July 30, 2024, citing a lack of jurisdiction, and ordered the case to be returned to the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge.
Petition Against the Judge
El-Rufai's petition against Justice Aikawa is based on the appellate court's findings, with the former governor accusing the judge of "gross bias, injustice, and denial of fair hearing." This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria's judicial system, particularly in high-profile corruption cases involving political figures.
The developments underscore the complexities of Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts, as agencies like the ICPC navigate legal challenges while pursuing cases against former officials. The outcome of this proceeding could set precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future, impacting public trust in the judiciary and governance.
