In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Kaduna has declined jurisdiction over the suit filed by Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, who sought to overturn the Adhoc Committee report of the Kaduna State House Assembly, among other declaratory reliefs.
In separate rulings prior to the judgment, Hon. Justice R.M. Aikawa determined that the applicant did not demonstrate any grounds sufficient to justify setting aside the court’s proceedings.
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The application for the judge’s recusal was also dismissed due to a lack of compelling reasons or evidence, as supported by numerous previous cases.
The court ruled that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction. Instead of dismissing or striking out the suit as requested by the respondents’ counsel, the court invoked Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act to transfer the case to the Chief Judge of Kaduna State.
The matter will now be resolved by the High Court of Kaduna State.
Femi Falana, SAN, and Sani Katu, SAN, represented the 1st respondent, while Sule Shuaibu, SAN, Attorney General of Kaduna State, and Jummai Danazumi, Esq, acted as counsel for the 2nd respondent.
In an interview with several lawyers following the judgment, they characterized the ruling as a victory for the rule of law and a testament to the judiciary’s independence. “It sends a strong message that the courts will not be influenced by efforts to undermine the legal process,” they remarked.
Legal experts who observed the proceedings considered the court’s decision a triumph of justice and fairness.
