Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, requesting the reassignment of Justice R.M. Aikawa from presiding over his ongoing criminal trial at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
El-Rufai, who is facing a 10-count charge alongside a co-defendant, is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) over allegations of abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud involving N579.6 million and $1.1 million.
In a petition dated April 9, 2026, the former governor urged the CJN to transfer the case to another judge within the Kaduna division, citing concerns over alleged bias and judicial conduct by Justice Aikawa. He argued that the continued handling of the case by the judge was “untenable in law, prudence, common sense and judicial ethics.”
El-Rufai stated that there are pending disciplinary complaints against Justice Aikawa before both the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the National Judicial Council (NJC), raising questions about the integrity of the proceedings.
He further contended that even the appearance of bias could undermine public confidence in the judiciary and potentially lead to the reversal of any judgment on appeal, thereby causing irreparable harm to his rights and personal liberty.
The former governor called for immediate administrative intervention, including reassignment of the case to another judge within Kaduna or, if necessary, transfer to a different division of the Federal High Court.
A bail hearing in the matter has been scheduled for April 14.
