EL-RUFAI ARRIVES COURT AS BAIL HEARING RESUMES AMID LEGAL DRAMA

By Chisom Adaeze

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday appeared at the Federal High Court Kaduna for the continuation of his bail application hearing, in a case already marked by legal twists and procedural drama.

El-Rufai arrived at the court premises at approximately 9:00 a.m., stepping out of his vehicle minutes later under tight security. His presence immediately drew attention from security personnel and a small number of observers gathered around the court.

The resumed hearing follows a disrupted session on Tuesday, where proceedings were stalled after the defence team introduced a series of unexpected legal moves. Central to the disruption was a motion filed by the defence, requesting the presiding judge, Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, to recuse himself from the case over allegations of bias and a pending petition questioning his impartiality.

The move sparked immediate reactions from the prosecution, escalating tensions in the courtroom. However, in a dramatic turn, the defence later filed another application seeking to withdraw its earlier request for the judge to step aside.

This back-and-forth triggered intense legal arguments between both parties, resulting in procedural delays that ultimately halted the hearing of the bail application.

Compounding the situation, the prosecution submitted a counter-affidavit opposing El-Rufai’s bail request, introducing fresh legal considerations that required the defence to review and respond accordingly.

In light of these developments, Justice Aikawa adjourned the matter to Wednesday to allow for the continuation of proceedings.

Security was visibly heightened at the court premises, with armed personnel stationed strategically within and around the area. Movement was tightly controlled, and access to the courtroom was restricted, with journalists barred from entering as authorities enforced strict security protocols.

As the case resumes, attention remains fixed on how the court will navigate the legal complexities surrounding the bail application and whether the proceedings will move forward without further interruptions.