Justice Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has withdrawn from the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and has proceeded on leave.
The judge transmitted the case file to the Chief Judge of the FCT for reassignment to another judge.
The court had adjourned proceedings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to Friday to hear El-Rufai’s bail application. However, during Friday’s sitting, Justice Belgore informed parties that he was proceeding on leave and returned the file accordingly.
The suit seeks 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 El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, on February 27, 2026, the former governor has been in custody since he voluntarily reported to the EFCC on Monday, February 16, 2026. He was later transferred to ICPC custody on the night of February 18.
The reassignment means a new hearing date for the bail application will be fixed once the case is allocated to another judge.
El-Rufai’s legal team is pressing for the enforcement of his rights amid his ongoing detention by the anti-graft agencies.
