Kaduna, Nigeria, July 9, 2024 — The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has adjourned the hearing of the case filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai against the State House of Assembly and the Attorney General of the State to July 17, 2024. El-Rufai is contesting the House committee’s report, which accused him of corruption.
At the commencement of the hearing, Sani Katu, SAN, counsel for the first respondent, the Kaduna State House of Assembly, informed the court of their intention to file a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case. Katu requested an extension of time to file all necessary applications related to the case filed by El-Rufai.
This request was also supported by Sule Shua’ibu, SAN, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Kaduna State, who is also a defendant in the case. Counsel for the applicant, Sule Umoru, did not oppose the request for an extension.
After considering the submissions, Justice R.M. Aikawa, the presiding judge, adjourned the case to July 17, 2024, allowing the respondents time to file all their applications, including the substantive application.
Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai filed the case on June 26, 2024, seeking to challenge the probe report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which indicted him for corruption during his eight-year tenure. El-Rufai has asked the court to declare the Assembly’s report null and void, arguing that it violated his constitutional right to a fair hearing since he was not invited to defend himself against the allegations.