Appeal Court Orders Fresh Hearing in El-Rufai's Case

The Appeal Court has nullified the judgment in a suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai against the Kaduna State House of Assembly and the State Attorney General. The court ordered that the case be heard afresh, citing a violation of El-Rufai's constitutional right to a fair hearing.

The unanimous judgment was delivered by a three-member panel on March 17, 2024. The panel, comprising Justices Onyekachi Otisi, Abimbola Obaseki, and Sybil Gbagi, found that the lower court had improperly proceeded with the case, as El-Rufai had not been properly served with notice.

The court noted that the trial court declined jurisdiction and transferred the case to the Kaduna State High Court, prompting El-Rufai's appeal. The Appeal Court emphasized that El-Rufai was entitled to five days to respond to the notice, and the failure to serve him properly denied him the opportunity to file a counter affidavit.

The court directed that the parties bear their respective costs.