El-Rufai seeks transfer of trial from presiding judge, Aikawa

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has requested the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to reassign his ongoing case from Justice R. M. Aikawa. In a petition dated April 9, 2026, he expressed concerns over perceived bias and questionable judicial conduct. El-Rufai noted that several petitions accusing the judge of bias are pending review by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the National Judicial Council.