Judge withdraws from El-Rufai’s case, gives reason

Justice Hussaini Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja, the presiding judge over former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s fundamental human rights enforcement suit, has withdrawn from the case, citing impending leave.

Justice Belgore transmitted the case file back to the Chief judge of the Federal Capital Territory for reassignment

The latest development follows the judge’s decision to proceed on leave.

The court had on Wednesday, February 25, adjourned proceedings to Friday to hear El-Rufai’s bail application.

However, at Friday’s sitting, Justice Belgore disclosed that he would be proceeding on leave and, consequently, returned the case file to the FCT Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge.

The suit was instituted to enforce El-Rufai’s fundamental human rights against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

According to a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, on February 27, El-Rufai has been in custody since he voluntarily reported to the EFCC on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The statement added that he was later moved to the custody of the ICPC on the night of February 18.

The reassignment of the case means a new date for the hearing of the bail application is expected to be fixed once the matter is allocated to another judge.

El-Rufai’s legal team is seeking the enforcement of his rights amid his continued detention by anti-graft agencies.