The Court of Appeal in Kaduna has nullified the Federal High Court judgment in a fundamental rights suit filed by former state governor Nasir el-Rufa’i, ordering a fresh hearing before another judge.
In a unanimous ruling on March 17, the three-member panel held that the lower court violated el-Rufa’i’s right to fair hearing, citing lack of proper service of hearing notice. The court ruled that the entire proceedings were a nullity.
The case stemmed from a Kaduna State House of Assembly probe that indicted el-Rufa’i over an alleged ₦400 billion fraud. He had challenged the probe, arguing he was not invited to appear before the panel.
The appellate court found no credible evidence that he was duly notified, and faulted the trial court for proceeding without giving him an opportunity to respond. It consequently ordered a retrial, with all parties to bear their own costs.
