El-Rufai Urges NJC to Act on Petition Against Judge

Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, is intensifying pressure on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to take swift action regarding a petition he filed against Justice R.M. Aikawa, alleging judicial misconduct.

The petition, submitted on February 2025, accuses Justice Aikawa of bias and denial of fair hearing in a case involving El-Rufai, who is facing charges of corruption, including money laundering and abuse of office. El-Rufai expressed concern over the NJC's prolonged silence on the matter, emphasizing that the delay undermines public confidence in the judiciary.

He has requested that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, direct the reassignment of the case from Justice Aikawa. The NJC confirmed that the petition is under review, but Justice Aikawa reportedly failed to respond to the council's request for a defense by the deadline.

El-Rufai's legal team has highlighted the potential impropriety in Aikawa's continued involvement in the case.