Court fixes date for hearing in El-Rufai vs Kaduna Assembly case

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The Federal High Court in Kaduna State has adjourned the hearing of the case filed by former governor Nasir El-Rufai against the State House of Assembly and the Attorney General of the State to July 17th.

El-Rufai is contesting the House committee’s report that accused him of corruption.

During Monday’s proceedings, counsel for the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Sani Katu, SAN, informed the court of their intention to file a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

Katu requested additional time to properly file all necessary applications related to the case brought against his client by Nasir El-Rufai.

The Attorney General of Kaduna State, Sule Shauaibu, SAN, who is also a defendant in the case, supported the plea for an extension of time.

On his part, counsel to the applicant, Sule Umoru, did not oppose the application for the extension of time.

After considering the arguments presented by the counsels, Justice R.M AIKAWA, the presiding judge, adjourned the case to July 17th, 2024. This adjournment aims to allow the respondents ample time to submit all necessary applications, including the substantive application.

Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai filed the case at the Federal High Court Kaduna on June 26th to contest the Kaduna State House of Assembly’s probe report, which implicated him in corruption during his eight-year tenure.

Among his claims, he sought the court to declare the Assembly’s report null and void, asserting that it violated his constitutional right to a fair hearing since he was not invited by the House to defend himself against the allegations.