Justice Hussaini Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has withdrawn from presiding over the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, citing impending leave.
Following his decision, the case file has been returned to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court for reassignment to another judge.
El-Rufai’s suit, filed before the FCT High Court, challenges what he describes as violations of his fundamental rights. The former governor alleged actions by agencies including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In the application, El-Rufai also referenced the reported invasion of his Abuja residence and cited the involvement of other agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services(DSS) in ongoing legal matters concerning him.
With Justice Belgore’s withdrawal, proceedings in the fundamental rights case are temporarily on hold pending reassignment by the FCT Chief Judge.
