Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called for an urgent investigation into the conduct of a Federal High Court judge, alleging bias and denial of fair hearing in an ongoing corruption trial instituted against him.
El-Rufai, who is currently facing multiple charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), warned that failure by relevant authorities to address his concerns could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary.
In a fresh move to press his demands, the former governor wrote a second reminder letter dated March 9, 2026, to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, expressing dissatisfaction over what he described as the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) delay in responding to his earlier petition.
The petition, initially submitted in February 2025, was lodged against Justice R.M. Aikawa, who is currently presiding over the criminal proceedings involving El-Rufai at the Federal High Court. The former governor questioned the propriety of allowing the same judge to continue handling the case despite an unresolved complaint alleging misconduct.
El-Rufai was arraigned on Tuesday on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged corruption, abuse of office, money laundering, and unlawful control of public assets. The charges form part of a broader anti-corruption case brought against him following his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
In his correspondence to the CJN, El-Rufai expressed concern that more than one year after filing his petition, the NJC had yet to provide any substantive feedback. He described the delay as troubling and inconsistent with the council’s mandate to uphold discipline and accountability within the judiciary.
“More than one year has now elapsed since its submission, yet no further communication has been forthcoming from the NJC,” El-Rufai wrote, highlighting what he sees as institutional inertia in addressing allegations of judicial misconduct.
The former governor maintained that his petition was submitted in accordance with the NJC Judicial Discipline Regulations 2017. He accused Justice Aikawa of exhibiting “profound bias, denial of fair hearing, and conduct wholly unbecoming of a judicial officer,” adding that such behaviour raises serious questions about the judge’s suitability to preside over cases in a modern democratic system.
According to El-Rufai, the continued involvement of Justice Aikawa in his case and related matters undermines the integrity of the judicial process. He further alleged that the judge has been handling cases involving his former associates in the Kaduna State government, a situation he claims creates the perception of prejudice.
He also accused the judge of admitting evidence that he described as “patently inadmissible under the Evidence Act,” arguing that such decisions have had damaging consequences for individuals linked to his administration.
“His rulings continue to inflict unwarranted harm on innocent individuals solely due to their prior association with me,” El-Rufai stated, suggesting that the alleged bias extends beyond his personal case to affect others connected to him.
The former governor warned that failure to address such concerns could have far-reaching implications for the rule of law. He cautioned that unchecked judicial actions might lead to a breakdown in trust and encourage individuals to seek alternative means of redress outside the legal system.
“Where irrational judgments and rulings prevail unchecked, society may regrettably resort to self-help, ultimately eroding the administration of justice,” he warned.
As part of his demands, El-Rufai urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to intervene by ordering the transfer of all cases related to him from the Kaduna Division of the Federal High Court to another judge. He insisted that such cases should be reassigned to a judicial officer of “unimpeachable standing” to ensure fairness and transparency in the proceedings.
However, the National Judicial Council has confirmed that the matter is currently under review. In a response dated March 24, 2026, and signed by its Secretary, Ahmed Saleh, the council disclosed that El-Rufai’s petition is being examined by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee.
The NJC explained that upon receiving the petition, the Chief Justice had forwarded it to Justice Aikawa on March 21, 2025, requesting a response within 14 days, in line with established procedures. However, the judge reportedly failed to respond within the stipulated timeframe, only submitting a reply after a reminder was issued in November 2025.
According to the council, both the petition and the judge’s eventual response are now before the committee, which is tasked with determining whether a prima facie case exists to warrant a full-scale investigation.
“The petition is currently before the Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee to determine if a prima facie case has been established,” the NJC stated, reaffirming its commitment to due process.
The council further noted that its procedures provide an opportunity for judicial officers to defend themselves against allegations before any disciplinary measures are taken, emphasizing that fairness and objectivity remain central to its review process.
El-Rufai’s complaint is also linked to Suit No. FHC/KD/CS/55/2024, involving a dispute between him and the Kaduna State House of Assembly, where he had previously raised concerns about judicial conduct.
The development has drawn attention to broader issues surrounding judicial accountability and the perception of fairness in high-profile cases. Legal analysts say the outcome of the NJC’s review could have significant implications for public confidence in the judiciary, particularly in politically sensitive matters.
As the case continues, stakeholders are closely watching how the judicial authorities respond to El-Rufai’s allegations and whether any action will be taken to address his concerns.
