A Federal High Court judge, Justice Belgore, has forwarded the case file in the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory for reassignment to another court.
The move follows the judge’s decision to proceed on leave, effectively halting further proceedings before his court.
The matter had earlier been adjourned on Wednesday, February 25, to Friday for the hearing of El-Rufai’s bail application. However, at Friday’s sitting, Justice Belgore announced that he would be embarking on leave and consequently returned the case file for reassignment to another judge.
El-Rufai instituted the suit seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Department of State Services, and the Attorney‑General of the Federation.
In a statement issued on February 27 by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor has remained in custody since voluntarily reporting to the EFCC on Monday, February 16, 2026. The statement further noted that he was subsequently transferred to the custody of the ICPC on the night of February 18.
With the case now set for reassignment, a fresh date is expected to be fixed for the hearing of the bail application once the matter is allocated to another judge.
El-Rufai’s legal team maintains that the suit is aimed at securing the enforcement of his rights amid his continued detention by anti-graft agencies.