Kano: Gov. Yusuf Sacks Sagagi As Commissioner

March 26, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Sensing his closeness to the leader of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Kano state Governor Abba Yusuf has relieved Shehu Sagagi of his appointment as Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry with immediate effect.

Governor’s spokesperson, Bature Tofa, announced this in a statement on Thursday.

According to Tofa, the former commissioner has been directed to hand over the affairs of the ministry to the Director of Commerce pending further directives.

Yusuf expressed appreciation for Sagagi’s contributions during his tenure, noting his efforts in areas such as politics, religion, and the development of small and medium enterprises in the state.

He wished the former commissioner success in his future endeavours and reassured the public of his administration’s commitment to effective service delivery and good governance.

He noted that the move is part of ongoing strategic realignment of government structures aimed at ensuring systematic growth and sustainable development in Kano State.

Sagagi, an associate of the leader of NNPP, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was previously, redeployed from the post of the Chief of Staff to the Governor to his present assignment.

Sagagi was a one time State Chairman of the PDP and played a very crucial role towards the victory of the newly formed NNPP in the 2023 general elections.

Yusuf had in January decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while some of his aides that are not willing to go along with his new party, resigned their appointment.

He was welcomed into the APC by Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu.

“Where Was NBA When I Was Abducted Inside A Court Room?” -Sowore Asks, Denies Press Conference In Court

Adesina Soyooye

March 26, 2026

By Adesina Soyooye

African Action Congress Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election, Omoyele Sowore, has denied that he held a press conference inside the Chambers of a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

He denied this in response to the Nigerian Bar Association following NBA’s criticism of his conduct at the Federal High Court.

In denying the allegation, Sowore accused the NBA of what he called “selective outrage, falsehood, and shielding powerful actors while targeting victims of state abuse.”

In a statement he issued on Wednesday, Sowore lamented against the NBA’s characterisation of his actions as a breach of courtroom etiquette, and described its statement as an assault on truth.

He wrote, in part: “I have read the statement issued by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, and I must say this is yet another sad day for democracy in Nigeria.

“While I understand that the NBA may feel compelled to defend one of its own, such defence must not be built on falsehoods.”

The incident to which the NBA reacted happened on Tuesday, March 24, when Sowore had a verbal clash with Musibau Adetunbi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, after he attempted to speak with journalists inside the courtroom.

The Senior Lawyer objected to Sowore’s alleged move, and insisted that the court was not an appropriate place for a media briefing.

However, Sowore said the NBA’s account of events is a lie and denied he organised a press conference inside the court.

According to him, he had visited the Federal High Court to obtain a Certified True Copy of a ruling striking out a cybercrime charge filed against him in January 2025. On arrival, he said he was told that the presiding judge, Justice M.S. Liman, had refused to sign the order citing a secret ex parte motion filed by the Nigeria Police Force.

He said: “We protested this irregularity and were asked to wait for the Judge to resume sitting. While waiting, media personnel attached to the Federal High Court approached me as they routinely do and requested comments. I obliged. This is standard practice.”

He clarified that the journalists were a regular part of the court environment who usually interacted freely with lawyers, litigants, and observers.

He gave the NBA a low mark, for according to him, the association’s “troubling pattern of selective engagement, questioning why the association had remained silent on far graver violations of courtroom sanctity involving state actors.

“The NBA’s selective outrage is troubling. Where was this energy when DSS operatives invaded a courtroom to abduct me before a sitting judge? Where was the defence of the sanctity of the court when state actors repeatedly violated court orders and trampled on the rights of citizens?”

Sowore, also, alleged that Adetunbi acted with impunity during the confrontation, issued threats, attempted to destroy equipment, and summoned the police, a conduct, he pointed out, the NBA shockingly failed to address.

He said: “The attempt by some lawyers, including Senior Advocate Musbau, to intimidate and harass us in court, issuing threats, attempting to destroy equipment, and even calling the police, only underscores the growing culture of impunity.”

The Judge, he said, finally, reaffirmed his decision and struck out the case and ordered the release of his international passport, which he said had been “unjustly seized.”

Sowore challenged the NBA to live up to its stated values by applying the same standard of scrutiny to powerful state actors as it did to their victims.

Sowore: “The NBA cannot claim to defend the rule of law while ignoring abuses by powerful state actors and amplifying misleading narratives against victims of those abuses.

“This is not just disappointing, it is dangerous. If the NBA truly seeks to protect the integrity of the legal profession and the courts, it must begin with honesty, consistency, and courage — not selective outrage. Indeed, this is another sad day for democracy in Nigeria.”

The Court Should Not Be Used As A Stage For Media Briefing

The Source

March 26, 2026

Afam Osigwe - NBA President — Afam Osigwe, NBA President.

By Afam Osigwe, SAN

In this write-up, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, weighs in on the incident, on Tuesday, March 24, at an Abuja Federal High Court between Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and Omoyele Sowore when the Senior Lawyer confronted Sowore for attempting to address some Journalists inside the hallowed chambers of the Court

Courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are open to the public not as arenas for performance, but as sanctuaries for the orderly administration of justice. Their openness promotes transparency and public confidence, yet it also imposes a duty of restraint on all who enter. Access to the courtroom is therefore a right exercised within boundaries of decorum, discipline, and respect for judicial authority. The courtroom exists solely for adjudication, and its openness cannot be stretched to permit activities unrelated to that purpose.

It is against this background that the Nigerian Bar Association views with grave concern the incident involving Mr. Omoyele Sowore, yesterday March 24th, 2026, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Mr. Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by a number of individuals carrying camera phones and recording equipment. He proceeded to set up what appeared to be preparations for a press conference within the courtroom itself. Members of his team attended to him, fanning his face and tidying his appearance in a manner akin to a broadcast setting.

He subsequently moved into the inner bar, sat on one of the tables, and, as cameras were directed at him, began addressing what he described as “a range of national issues.” Notably, Mr. Sowore’s case was not listed for hearing, and he was not accompanied by any legal practitioner during this episode. The development led to tension within the courtroom and a confrontation with learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, who objected to the conduct and insisted on maintaining courtroom decorum.

Courtrooms are solemn spaces dedicated to the administration of justice. Any conduct that undermines the dignity of the court, intimidates legal practitioners, or disrupts proceedings constitutes a grave affront to the rule of law. The use of a courtroom as a venue for publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings.

While every Nigerian, including Mr. Sowore, is entitled to attend and observe court proceedings, such right must be exercised responsibly and with due regard to courtroom decorum. Public access to the courts does not extend to converting the courtroom into a platform for press briefings or actions capable of undermining the dignity and authority of the court, whether or not the court is in session.

The NBA, therefore, condemns Mr. Sowore’s disruption of the courtroom environment and expresses solidarity with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and all lawyers who insisted on maintaining decorum. We also call on court authorities to ensure that courtrooms remain protected spaces for the orderly administration of justice and free from acts capable of intimidating legal practitioners in the discharge of their professional duties.

The NBA will continue to defend the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial proceedings. The courtroom must remain a place of order, respect, disciplined advocacy, and responsible public access, not spectacle, confrontation, or disorder.

*Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
President, Nigerian Bar Association*

President Tinubu Returns To Abuja

Ayodele Oni

March 25, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday departed Lagos for Abuja after marking the Eid-el-Fitri, following his historic state visit to the United Kingdom.

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy) Bayo Onanuga in a statement, said his plane left the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport at 6.44 pm.

President Tinubu returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom in the early hours of Friday and participated in the Eid-el-Fitr prayers held at Dodan Barracks.

As part of his Lagos schedule, President Tinubu received 23 governors, including Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his Edo state counterpart, Monday Okpebholo.

The President also received an EU delegation and members of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC).

Vice President Kashim Shettima also came to Lagos to brief the President on his trip to Borno State, following the recent suicide bombing.

Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, were at the President’s residence for the departure ceremony.

Others at the airport for the departure were the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, senior government officials, and party stalwarts.

2027: We Shall Resist Any Attempt To Shift Power To The North – AYDM

Akinwale Kasali

March 25, 2026

By Akinwale Kasali

Over 130 Pan Yoruba Groups under the auspices of Alliance For Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, have called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to restructure Nigeria before the 2027 Presidential Election.

The Group made the call in Lagos during its meeting which was attended by delegates from the old Western Region comprising Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Delta and Edo States.

Yoruba and Itsekiri groups from West African countries attended the historic event.

The Conference drew over 800 Delegates who attended with a working group dedicated on Security and livelihood in the region.

Observers at the event were ethnic and socio-cultural groups, South-South Congress, Middle-Belt Indigenous Peoples Congress, Hausa National Congress, HNC, and other groups from South East.

The guest Speaker, Adewale Adeoye, spoke on Democracy, Peoples Power and Livelihood in the South West.

He called on the people to rally round to defend democracy and mobilise for the restructuring of the country.

The group also said that the next President in 2027 should come from the South adding that anything short of power rotation is a recipe for the disintegration of the country.

“Since 1960, the North has ruled Nigeria for 46 years while the South has ruled for only 20 years. Any attempt by the North to produce the next President is unacceptably and will be resisted”, Adeoye stated.

In the communique issued after the event and signed by AYDM General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi, Rasaq Arogundade, Taofik Adeyemi and Alice Asoropa, AYDM, said the most important challenge facing the country is restructuring to avoid a slip into anarchy.

It said the crisis in the Middle East occasioned by the feud between Iran and Israel-United States is being exploited by radical extremists in Nigeria to carry out their pre-conceived agenda of terror aimed at setting the country on fire.

It added that the recent introduction of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, which killed a man and another Mother and Child in Kwara State shows that terrorists in Nigeria have entered a new phase in their evil plot to toppled democracy and turn Nigeria into a field of blood and arson.

It alleged that the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, once an arm of the All Progressive Congress, APC, which ruled Nigeria for eight years from 2015 to 2023 turned Nigeria into a sanctuary of terrorism and mayhem in many instances providing official support for the crimes committed by the terrorists.

The groups said the remnants of the cabal are the chief suspects in the current campaign of terror being intensified across the country.

“The current Federal Government is dealing with economic, political and military wings of terrorism in Nigeria. The terrorists have economic and ideological funders masquerading as elected and unelected politicians and statesmen.

“It’s one single scourge with the single aim of gaining power to turn Nigeria into a theocratic fielfdom.

“The problem with terrorists mindset is that they take actions without thinking twice. They want to destroy the political, cultural and economic foundations of Nigeria. It is within this vortex that the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is operating”, he stated.

The groups condemned the recent coup attempt warning that any attempt to topple democracy will spur unprecedented crisis.

“The country is witnessing a very tough economic experience characterised by hunger and misery compounded by terrorism. But the solution is not a military coup. The agenda of the plotters is to plunge Nigeria into a fascist past, to achieve a designed ethno-extremist religious plan.

“The plotters have the same agenda with the ravaging terrorists across the country”, the groups said.

In the communique, the groups said DISCOS, especially Ikeja Electric has become the No 1 enemy of the South West due to its gross incompetence, savage exploitation of the people and its determination to stunt industrial development of the South West.

The groups in the communique warned that any military intervention will automatically plunge Nigeria into nuclear groups of armed resistance including but not limited to the prospect of guerrilla warfare across the country with devastating consequences for West Africa.

“We call for the speedy trial of the alleged coup plotters, if found guilty, they must face the full weight of the law, including death to serve as deterrent to future coup adventurists. We submit that the coup was nothing but an ethnic agenda.

“To avoid future recurrence, the groups called on the President and the National Assembly to speed up the immediate creation of state police and the restructuring of Nigerian security architecture which should include the decentralization of the Nigerian Defense Academy, NDA, Nigerian Military School, Zaria and the Airforce training commands into four regions, two in the South and two in the North.

“Nigeria needs to transform from a garrison state to a truly democratic country reflecting the country’s diversity and plural civilisation. There is no time to waste. This is an historic step that should have been taken more than 50 years ago”, the group said

It noted in the communique with strongest term, condemning the ravaging terrorists that have taken over South West territories, killing and maiming their people, men, women, infants and even pregnant women being slaughtered by Fulani terrorists.

In the past five years, the group said, that four traditional rulers have been killed in the South West by terrorists of Fulani extraction.

The latest is the planting of Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, on highways to kill Yoruba people.

“This has been recorded in Woro, Kiama in Kwara State where it killed a man while a woman and her child were wounded”.

The groups said they condemn ‘what appears like the cold complicity of a section of the Fulani elite including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III , Sheik Ahmad Gumi, Abubakar Malami, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, Malami among many others who have refused to speak against the on-going genocide instead, employ rhetoric that tends to support the terrorists or provide ideological shield for them.’

It noted that the Yoruba and especially the Muslim masses in Western Nigeria are disappointed in the queer role of the Sultan of Sokoto who is the head of the Fulani in West Africa. Why he is quick to make calls for the release of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nassir El Rufai, he is conspiratorially silent on the gruesome murder of Yoruba people including numerous Muslims by the Fulani terrorists, including the murder of five Yoruba traditional rulers and his silence on other heinous crimes committed by his people

It said that no inch of Yoruba, Itsekiri land is available for Sharia.

“Every state in Nigeria where Sharia has been introduced are afflicted by terrorism, corruption, impoverishment and elite repression of the poor”, the group noted.

Zamfara Commissioner Resigns Over Governor’s Defection To APC

Adesina Soyooye

March 25, 2026

By Adesina Soyooye

In Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, on Tuesday, March 24, one man stood out because of his loyalty to the embattled Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

While Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside a number of All Progressives Congress Governors and members of the National Executive Council, NEC, were excitedly receiving the Governor of the State, Dauda Lawal, members of his Cabinet, Members of the State House of Assembly and many more who dumped the PDP for the APC, one man thought and behaved differently. He decided to stand alone out of principles.

That man is Wadatau Madawaki, until Tuesday, Zamfara State’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology.

He refused to defect with them. And, instead, resigned from Governor Lawal’s Cabinet. He said he was forced to resign following the defection of Governor Lawal from the PDP to the APC.

He pointed out that his resignation stemmed from his loyalty to the PDP, and emphasized that he could not join the APC.

“I only resigned because the Governor is joining the APC. I’m a PDP member. I’ve never been in the APC. And I’m not ready to be an APC member,” he disclosed in an interview with Channels Television.

He said he was not under any pressure to resign and described his decision as voluntary.

He said: “The governor has never forced anyone to resign. I only resigned because I think it is an honourable thing to do.”

His resignation has been accepted by the Zamfara State Government which has appointed the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, to act as the Commissioner for Education.

21-Year Old House boy To Die By Hanging In Ondo

Ayodele Oni

March 25, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

A 21-year-old house boy, Emmanuel Akpan, in Ondo State, is to die by hanging for the murder of his employer, Mrs. Febisola Caroline Adedayo, while his co-defendant, Goodness James Akpe, was discharged and acquitted by an Akure High Court.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday in Charge No: AK/57C/2022, Justice Rotimi Olamide held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt on the charge of murder against the second defendant.

The case filed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State, contained two counts of conspiracy to commit murder contrary to Sections 324, 316 and 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The Court heard that the incident occurred on March 29, 2021, at Ifakanbale Street, Sabo, Ondo town, where the deceased, a food vendor, was attacked in her residence at night.

According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired to kill Mrs. Adedayo and the second defendant, Emmanuel Akpan, inflicted fatal machete cuts on her neck, leading to her death.

According to evidence before the Court, the suspects killed the woman after hearing she had money in her house and later attempted to cover up the crime by setting the building on fire to make it look like a gas explosion.

In his judgment, Justice Olamide said the testimonies of prosecution witnesses were credible, consistent and unshaken under cross-examination, adding that the confessional statements of the defendants further strengthened the case against them.

The Judge rejected the denial by the defendants, noting that their claims were contradicted by evidence before the Court.

The Court also held that the second defendant’s explanation of how he was arrested was not believable, stressing that his conduct after the incident pointed to guilt.

Justice Olamide described the act as cruel, inhuman and undeserving of mercy, especially considering that the deceased had once assisted the defendants.

The court subsequently discharged and acquitted the first defendant, Goodness James Akpe, for lack of sufficient evidence linking him directly to the killing.

However, the court found Emmanuel Akpan guilty of murder and pronounced the mandatory sentence.

“The sentence of the court upon you, Emmanuel Akpan, is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul,” the judge declared.

Akpan and Akpe were arrested in March 2021 after the killing of Mrs. Adedayo in Ondo town.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly murdered their employer in order to steal valuables including ATM cards, phones and a generator before attempting to burn the house to destroy evidence.

Zonal South-west APC Elects Leaders By Consensus

Ayodele Oni

March 25, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress, (APC), on Wednesday re-elected Dr Isaacs Kekemeke as its South West Zonal Chairman.

Kekemeke, alongside seven other zonal exco members, emerged via a consensus arrangement at the APC South-West Zonal Congress at Mobolaji Johnson Arena (formerly Onikan Stadium) in Lagos.

Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Congress Committee, Mr Jide Jimoh, said that 1,398 delegates from the South-West states of Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Ekiti, participated in the congress.

After reeling out the consensus list one after the other, the chairman conducted voice votes before affirming the election.

Those elected unopposed are Alfred Aluko (Secretary), Ismail Majaro (Legal Adviser), Lateef Ibirogba (Organising Secretary), and Ayobami Afolabi (Publicity Secretary).

Others are Mrs Oyetunde Adesanya (Woman Leader), Mr Daramola Adesuyi (Youth Leader), and Mr Dayo Ishola (Persons With Disability).

Speaking on behalf of the South-West Governors, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, congratulated the newly elected officers.

In his acceptance speech, Kekemeke, described the congress as historic and epoch-making, being the zone of the President.

He appreciated the party leaders in the zone for honouring the team with the responsibility of serving the party.

“We will do better than we have ever done in the last four years. Our duty in the South West is to make sure we give our President overwhelming support in 2027.

“We call for everyone’s support, including all our governors in the zone, to ensure that South West has the higher number of votes for Tinubu in 2027,” he said.

According to him, the team will ensure victory for the APC in the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun.

Speaking, Dr Ajibola Basiru, the APC National Secretary, represented by the party’s National Youth Leader, Dr Dayo Israel, congratulated the party and the zone for the successful congress.

“I expect the new team to work as a team and we must deliver the South West for Mr President, and the journey begins now.”

Madumere Fmr. Imo Deputy Gov., Resigns From APC

Suleiman Anyalewechi

March 25, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere, has drawn the curtain on his many years of association with the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

In a letter of resignation dated March 17, 2026, addressed to the APC Chairman of the Ezinihitte Ward, Mbieri, in Mbaitolu Local Council of Imo State, Madumere one of the founding figures of the party in Imo state, alongside former Governor Rochas Okorocha, informed that his decision which takes immediate effect came after a deep personal reflection on his journey within the ruling party.

While describing the decision as a difficult one to take, the former Deputy Governor said it, however, provides yet another opportunity to “explore new paths” on his political journey.

“I write to formally notify you of my decision to resign my membership of the All Progressive Congress, APC effective, immediately.

“The decision, though difficult, has become necessary after deep personal reflection on my political journey with the party.

“I sincerely feel it is time for me to explore new paths. It is my utmost desire and expectation that we all continue to maintain the cordial relationship that we have built over the years in our collective desire to build a better Nigeria” Madumere stated.

This is as he appreciated the party for the opportunity given to him to further his political career and to serve the people.

He, however, reaffirmed his unflinching commitment to the wider goal of building a better Nigeria – his exit from the APC nothwithstanding.

Although, Madumere did not disclose his next line of action, there are strong indications that he may court the opposition coalition platform, the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

El-Rufai Demands Withdrawal Of Judge In ICPC’s Money Laundering Case; Alleges Bias

Suleiman Anyalewechi

March 25, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has objected to his trial by a Kaduna Federal High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Rilwan Aikawa, citing fears of conflict of interest and bias as major reasons.

The Source reports that El-Rufai, after a prolonged spell in custody without trial was on Tuesday March 24, 2026, arraigned by the ICPC before Justice Aikawa on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and inflation of Severance package to the tune of over N570 million, while holding sway as the Kaduna State Governor.

El-Rufai, a prominent figure in the opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, was arraigned alongside Joel Adoga.

But in a statement signed by Muyiwa Adekeye, his spokesperson, the former Kaduna State Governor expressed fears that justice may not be served going by the fact that El-Rufai had filed a pending petition against Justice Aikawa , before the National Judicial Council, NJC.

According to Adekeye, El-Rufai’s legal team which raised the objection during Tuesday’s court proceedings expressed serious concern that the development may not serve the interest of justice in the ongoing case as the NJC is yet to dispense with El-Rufai’s petition against Justice Aikawa.

According to Adekeye, the legal team told the Court that El-Rufai is not likely to get a fair trial from the presiding Judge whom he accused bias against him in past cases.

“Surprised that Justice R. M. Aikawa is presiding over the matter. El-Rufai’s legal team reminded the Court of its client’s petition against the Judge which is pending before the National Judicial Council”, Adekeye wrote.

In his response, Justice Aikawa, before adjourning proceedings till March 31, 2026, ruled that the legal team should file a formal written application before the next adjourned date.

“Justice Aikawa ruled that he would, at least, conduct the arraignment of the two defendants (El-Rufai and Adoga ), and hear the matter of his recusal if Counsel would bring it by way of a formal written application”, El-Rufai’s spokesperson added.

According to Adekeye, the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division, had, on March 17, set aside Justice Aikawa’s verdict in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai in 2024 against the Kaduna State House of Assembly.

The Appellate Court, affirmed El-Rufai’s appeal that he was not given a fair hearing by Justice Aikawa while presiding over the case between the Kaduna State Lawmakers and the former Governor.

Consequently, the Appeal Court ordered the trial Court to re-commence the case a fresh so as to afford El-Rufai the opportunity to defend himself.

He noted: “That case had prompted the first petition against Justice Aikawa by El-Rufai’s counsel. In a petition dated 18, July, 2024, A. U. Mustapha, SAN, on behalf of Malam El-Rufai, accused Justice Aikawa of gross bias, injustice, and denial of fair hearing.

“The petition , addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, requested that the case be reassigned to another Judge. When that request was not granted, El-Rufai’s counsel pursued and succeeded in the appeal.

“The second petition against Justice Aikawa dated 18 March 2025, was submitted by Malam Nasir El-Rufai to the Chief Justice of Nigeria in her capacity as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council NJC.

“In it, El-Rufai accused Justice Aikawa of bias, injustice, denial of fair hearing and conduct unbecoming of a Judicial Officer.

“Malam Nasir El-Rufai sent reminders concerning the petition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria in November 2025 ,and again in March 2026 .

“The most recent reminder urged the Chief Justice to ensure that the NJC expedites the resolution of the petition without further delay.

“The reminder also requested the Chief Justice to direct the immediate transfer of all relevant cases before the Federal High Court Kaduna to another Judge as a prudent interim measure to restore impartiality and safeguard judii processes”, Adekeye further stated .

The source further reports that El-Rufai’s arraignment on Tuesday was characterized by heightened security amidst tension and protest by his supporters. The media was barred from covering the Court’s proceedings.

1...777879...2,889 Page 78 of 2,889