- Safiu Kehinde
Justice Husaini Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has stepped down from the fundamental human rights enforcement case filed by the embattled former Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
NPO Reported that El-Rufai had dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) to court over alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.
This came under the heels of his detention by the security agencies.
While the EFCC had initially detained him over alleged financial misappropriation, the ICPC picked him up shortly after his release and detained him in its custody.
Amid his detention saga, the DSS filed a cybercrime lawsuit against El-Rufai over his admittance of tapping into the telephone conversation of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
The former Kaduna’s suit against the security agencies would however be dealt a huge blow as the Justice Belgore withdraws from the case and transfer it to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court.
As disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, the judge, at the resumption of the suit hearing today, announced that he is proceeding on leave hence his withdrawal from the case.
Adekeye disclosed that the former Kaduna state governor is still in ICPC custody since his transfer to the commission’s office on the 18th of February.
“The judge said that he is proceeding on leave, hence his decision to hand back the case for reassignment.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai has been detained since he voluntarily reported at the EFCC on Monday, 16th February 2026.
“He was moved to the custody of the ICPC on the night of 18 February.” He wrote.