Appeal Court Orders Fresh Trial in El-Rufai's ₦400bn Case

The Appeal Court has mandated a fresh trial regarding the ₦400 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. This decision, delivered on March 17, 2023, set aside an earlier judgment from the Federal High Court that had ruled against El-Rufai.

The case originated from an investigation by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which formed an ad hoc committee to probe financial dealings of the state government between 2015 and 2023, ultimately indicting El-Rufai for alleged fraud. El-Rufai contested the committee's findings, arguing that he was not properly invited to defend himself.

The trial court had declined jurisdiction, leading to the appeal. The Appeal Court found that there was no proof of proper service of the hearing notice to El-Rufai, which invalidated the lower court's proceedings.

The court emphasized the importance of proper service and fair hearing in judicial processes, declaring the previous proceedings null and void, and ordered the case to be heard afresh by a different judge of the Federal High Court.