El-Rufai Requests Reassignment of Judge in Fraud Case

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has formally requested the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to reassign Justice Aikawa from presiding over his ongoing criminal trial related to allegations of fraud amounting to ₦579.6 million. The trial is scheduled for April 14, 2026.

El-Rufai's petition, submitted on February 2025, outlines several grounds for the reassignment, including unresolved complaints against Justice Aikawa and concerns regarding his ability to handle the case impartially. El-Rufai argues that Aikawa's continued involvement is untenable due to a pending disciplinary complaint against him and his refusal to recuse himself from the case.

He has urged the CJN to transfer the case to another judge within or outside the Kaduna division of the Federal High Court to safeguard the integrity of the proceedings and maintain public confidence in the judiciary.