EL-RUFAI PETITIONS NJC AGAIN, SEEKS ACTION AGAINST JUDGE OVER ALLEGED BIAS

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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has intensified pressure on the National Judicial Council (NJC), demanding urgent action on his petition against a Federal High Court judge, Justice R.M. Aikawa, over allegations of bias, denial of fair hearing, and judicial misconduct.

In a second reminder letter dated March 9, 2026, addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, El-Rufai expressed concern over what he described as prolonged delay and silence by the NJC in handling his complaint.

Justice Aikawa is currently presiding over a criminal case filed against El-Rufai by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in which the former governor faces a 10-count charge bordering on corruption, including alleged money laundering, abuse of office, and unlawful possession of public assets.

El-Rufai stated that his petition, filed under the NJC Judicial Discipline Regulations 2017, accuses the judge of “profound bias” and conduct “wholly unbecoming of a judicial officer,” arguing that such actions render him unfit to dispense justice. He warned that delays in addressing the complaint could erode public confidence in the judiciary.

The former governor further alleged that Justice Aikawa had continued to preside over cases involving his former associates in the Kaduna State government, while admitting evidence he described as “patently inadmissible” under the Evidence Act.

He cautioned that unchecked judicial conduct could undermine the rule of law, warning that it might encourage self-help and weaken the justice system. As an interim measure, El-Rufai urged the Chief Justice to reassign all related cases from the Federal High Court in Kaduna to another judge of “unimpeachable standing.”

Responding, the NJC, through its Secretary, Ahmed Saleh, confirmed in a letter dated March 24, 2026, that the petition remains under review by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee.

The Council disclosed that the Chief Justice had earlier forwarded the petition to Justice Aikawa on March 21, 2025, requesting a response within 14 days, but the judge only replied after a follow-up reminder issued in November 2025.

According to the NJC, both the petition and the judge’s response are now being assessed to determine whether a prima facie case exists to warrant a full investigation, assuring that due process will be followed to ensure fairness to all parties.

El-Rufai’s petition is linked to Suit No. FHC/KD/CS/55/2024 involving the Kaduna State House of Assembly, in which he alleges judicial impropriety.