El-Rufai Arrives Court As Hearing On Bail Application Resumes

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday arrived at the Kaduna State High Court to continue proceedings in a case instituted against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

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The court had earlier adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by the former governor to April 14.

El-Rufai was previously arraigned by the ICPC on 10-count charges bordering on the alleged conversion of public property and money laundering.

The anti-corruption agency accused the former governor of involvement in financial improprieties linked to public assets during his tenure.

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In a related development, El-Rufai, has formally petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, seeking the immediate reassignment of Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, from presiding over his ongoing criminal trial.

In a petition dated April 9, 2026, El-Rufai urged the CJN to transfer the case to another judge within the Kaduna division or take other administrative steps to safeguard the integrity of the proceedings and maintain public confidence in the judiciary.

He described Justice Aikawa’s continued handling of the case as “untenable in law, prudence, common sense and judicial ethics,” citing alleged bias, pending disciplinary complaints against the judge, and the judge’s refusal to recuse himself.

Naija News reports that Justice Aikawa is currently presiding over a 10-count charge filed by the ICPC against El-Rufai and his co-defendant.