Kaduna assembly’s probe: Appeal court orders fresh hearing of el-Rufai’s suit

Elrufai

The court of appeal has nullified the judgement of the federal high court in the case instituted by Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, against the state house of assembly.

In a ruling on the appeal marked CA/K/240/2024, the appellate court held that proceedings at the lower court were invalid due to a breach of el-Rufai’s right to a fair hearing.

The court found that the federal high court sat on July 18, 2024, without evidence that the former governor was served with a hearing notice, thereby denying him the opportunity to participate in the proceedings. It also held that el-Rufai was not given the chance to respond to the respondents’ counter-affidavit, describing the omission as a violation of due process.

Based on the findings, the appellate court set aside the judgement delivered by Rilwanu Aikawa, judge of the federal high court, on July 30, 2024, declaring it a nullity for lack of jurisdiction.

The court ordered that the case be returned to the federal high court for reassignment to another judge. Thecable