Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has known as for an pressing investigation into the conduct of a Federal Excessive Court docket choose, alleging bias in an ongoing corruption trial in opposition to him.
The previous governor accused the court docket of denying him a good listening to and warned that continued silence by authorities may weaken public belief within the judiciary.
In a contemporary transfer, El-Rufai wrote a second reminder letter dated March 9, 2026, addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Within the letter, he expressed frustration over what he described because the Nationwide Judicial Council’s delay in responding to his earlier petition in opposition to Justice R.M. Aikawa.
Justice Aikawa is at present presiding over a legal case filed in opposition to El-Rufai by the Impartial Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee.
The previous governor was arraigned on Tuesday on a 10-count cost. The costs embody alleged corruption, abuse of workplace, cash laundering, and illegal management of public belongings.
El-Rufai’s authorized group questioned why the identical choose is dealing with the matter regardless of an current petition in opposition to him. They argued that the scenario raises considerations about impartiality and equity within the proceedings.
In his letter, El-Rufai famous that it has been over a yr since he first filed the petition in February 2025. He stated the dearth of response from the council is troubling.
“A couple of yr has now elapsed since its submission, but no additional communication has been forthcoming from the NJC,” El-Rufai wrote.
The previous governor defined that his petition was submitted according to the NJC Judicial Self-discipline Rules 2017. He alleged “profound bias, denial of truthful listening to, and conduct wholly unbecoming of a judicial officer.”
He added that such conduct, in his view, makes the choose “unfit to manage justice in a civilised society.”
El-Rufai additionally claimed that Justice Aikawa has continued to deal with circumstances involving his former associates within the Kaduna State authorities. He accused the choose of admitting proof “patently inadmissible underneath the Proof Act.”
In line with him, “His rulings proceed to inflict unwarranted hurt on harmless people solely attributable to their prior affiliation with me.”
He warned that failure to handle such points may injury the justice system. He stated unchecked judicial actions could push individuals towards taking issues into their very own palms.
“The place irrational judgments and rulings prevail unchecked, society could regrettably resort to self-help, in the end eroding the administration of justice,” he added.
As a part of his calls for, El-Rufai urged the Chief Justice to order the switch of all associated circumstances from the Kaduna Federal Excessive Court docket to a different choose. He stated such circumstances must be dealt with by a choose “of unimpeachable standing.”
Nevertheless, the Nationwide Judicial Council has responded, confirming that the matter continues to be underneath evaluation. In a reply dated March 24, 2026, and signed by its Secretary, Ahmed Saleh, the council said that the petition is being examined by its Preliminary Complaints Evaluation Committee.
The council disclosed that the Chief Justice had earlier forwarded the petition to Justice Aikawa on March 21, 2025, asking for a response inside 14 days. It famous that the choose didn’t reply till after a reminder was despatched in November 2025.
In line with the council, each the petition and the choose’s response at the moment are earlier than the committee to find out whether or not there may be sufficient proof to proceed with a full investigation.
“The petition is at present earlier than the Preliminary Complaints Evaluation Committee to find out if a prima facie case has been established,” the assertion learn.
The NJC maintained that its course of permits the choose to defend himself earlier than any remaining resolution is taken.
El-Rufai’s criticism is linked to Go well with No. FHC/KD/CS/55/2024 between him and the Kaduna State Home of Meeting, the place he earlier raised considerations about judicial conduct.