The trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s fundamental human rights enforcement suit suffered another setback on Friday, February 27, 2026, when Justice Belgore announced his decision to proceed on leave and returned the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory for reassignment to another judge.
Justice Belgore had earlier adjourned proceedings to Friday to hear El-Rufai’s bail application in the suit challenging his continued detention by anti-graft agencies. However, at Friday’s sitting, the judge disclosed that he would be proceeding on leave and could no longer preside over the matter.
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The suit, filed to enforce El-Rufai’s fundamental 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, now awaits reassignment.
Case Background El-Rufai has been in custody since he voluntarily reported to the EFCC on Monday, February 16, 2026. According to a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, on February 27, he was later moved to ICPC custody on the night of February 18.
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The former governor is facing multiple charges, including: A 16-count money laundering case by the EFCC involving approximately ₦9 billion and A separate five-count charge of terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms filed by the DSS.
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His legal team, led by Ubong Esop Akpan, has consistently described the prosecutions as politically motivated and an abuse of state power. Next Steps A new hearing date for the bail application and substantive suit will be fixed once the Chief Judge reassigns the case to another judge.
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The development is the latest in a series of adjournments, recusals and reassignments in El-Rufai’s legal battles since his defection from the APC and his vocal criticism of the Tinubu administration.
This is a developing story.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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