ABUJA, Nigeria — Justice Inyang Ekwo Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has withdrawn from the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Gov. Nasir El-Rufai and returned the case file to the FCT chief judge for reassignment after proceeding on leave, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. The move came two days after the court adjourned to hear El-Rufai’s bail application amid his continued detention by anti-graft agencies.

The court had on Wednesday, Feb. 25, adjourned proceedings to Friday to consider the bail application.

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At Friday’s sitting, Justice Belgore informed parties that he would be proceeding on leave and consequently transmitted the case file to the chief judge for reassignment to another judge.

The suit seeks enforcement of El-Rufai’s fundamental 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.

According to a statement issued by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, on Feb. 27, El-Rufai has been in custody since he voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. The statement said he was later transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on the night of Feb. 18.

With the reassignment, a new date for the hearing of the bail application is expected once the matter is allocated to another judge. El-Rufai’s legal team maintains that the application is necessary to secure his release pending the determination of the substantive suit.