Na serious wahala dey ground as one legal practitioner, Maduabuchi Idam, don fire shot for Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) chairman. Idam yarn say the chairman suppose dey hold responsible for contempt of court after dem grant administrative bail to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Idam talk say the procedure wey dem use release El-Rufai after him arraignment at Federal High Court for Kaduna na something wey no follow law. Him yarn say once person don appear for court, na the court get power over the person matter. “Such procedure, if truly dem do am, no only wrong but strange,” Idam talk.
The lawyer hammer say even if dem release El-Rufai on compassionate grounds because of him mama burial, e no fit happen without court order. “The news say dem release am ‘extra court order’ on compassionate grounds na new invention wey dey scorn judicial process and court authority,” Idam yarn.
Idam warn say if dem no hold ICPC chairman accountable, e go set bad example. “The Chairman must therefore dey hold accountable for such contempt; otherwise, dangerous precedent go set whereby officers for correctional centres fit assume similar discretion to release inmates on informal grounds,” Idam add.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai self don write second reminder letter to Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, date March 9, 2026. For the letter, El-Rufai dey complain say National Judicial Council (NJC) no don reply him petition against Justice R.M. Aikawa wey dey preside over corruption case against am.
El-Rufai yarn say e don pass one year since February 2025 when him submit the petition. Him talk say the no response from NJC dey worry am. “More than one year don pass since submission, yet no further communication come from NJC,” El-Rufai write.
The former governor accuse Justice Aikawa of “profound bias, denial of fair hearing, and conduct wholly unbecoming of judicial officer.” Him yarn say such conduct make the judge “unfit to administer justice for civilised society.”
El-Rufai also claim say Justice Aikawa dey continue handle cases involving him former associates for Kaduna State government. Him accuse the judge of admit evidence “patently inadmissible under Evidence Act.” According to El-Rufai, “Him rulings dey continue inflict unwarranted harm on innocent individuals solely because of their prior association with me.”
The former governor warn say if dem no address such issues, e go damage justice system. Him talk say unchecked judicial actions fit push people to take matters into their own hands. “Where irrational judgments and rulings prevail unchecked, society fit regrettably resort to self-help, ultimately eroding administration of justice,” El-Rufai add.
El-Rufai demand say Chief Justice order transfer of all related cases from Kaduna Federal High Court to another judge. Him talk say such cases suppose dey handle by judge “of unimpeachable standing.”
But NJC don respond, confirm say the matter still dey under review. For reply wey dem date March 24, 2026 and sign by Secretary Ahmed Saleh, council yarn say the petition dey before Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee.
The council disclose say Chief Justice don forward the petition to Justice Aikawa on March 21, 2025, ask for response within 14 days. Dem note say the judge no reply until after reminder dem send for November 2025.
According to council, both the petition and judge response don dey before committee to determine if enough evidence dey to proceed with full investigation. “The petition currently dey before Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee to determine if prima facie case don establish,” the statement read.
NJC maintain say their process allow judge defend himself before any final decision dey take. El-Rufai complaint link to Suit No. FHC/KD/CS/55/2024 between am and Kaduna State House of Assembly.
For another development, El-Rufai family don announce burial for late Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mama to former governor. The lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, yarn say Hajiya Umma go bury at Gudu Cemetery for Apo, Abuja after prayers at National Mosque for Central Area.
Bello talk say: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. On behalf of elders of our family, I don dey requested to announce Janazah Prayer for our dear grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, wey pass away yesterday. E go take place at National Mosque, Central Area, Abuja at 1pm. Burial go follow up at Gudu Cemetery, Apo.”
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) don hail decision of President Bola Tinubu-led federal government and national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for facilitate temporary bail wey dem grant to El-Rufai to attend him mama funeral.
For statement yesterday, group executive director, Prof Ishaq Akintola, while commiserate with El-Rufai, him son Bello El-Rufai and all members of El-Rufai family, appreciate federal government, particularly President Bola Tinubu and NSA.
MURIC pray say Allah forgive the deceased mother and grant her Aljannah firdaos. “We thank almighty Allah for life of our mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai,” MURIC yarn. “Character either dey inborn or instilled and cultivated. Physical resemblance between mother and son na strong pointer to where son inherit him high level principles.”
The group talk say: “To El-Rufai family and friends, make we take solace for fact say na El-Rufai mama die, not the son and not grandson. We get every cause to thank Allah for Him divine Mercy. E mean say light dey end of tunnel.”
MURIC recall say: “We know wetin happen for other climes. Late President Muhammadu Buhari no fit attend him mama funeral because him dey detention. Neither Sambo Dasuki fit, 35 years later, for same reason. Human face don add to embellish corridor of justice for Nigeria.”
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