A High Court in Abuja has transmitted the case file of a fundamental human rights suit filed by Nasir El-Rufai to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), John Tsoho, for reassignment.
The development followed a decision by the presiding judge, Salihu Belgore, who announced that he would be proceeding on official leave, necessitating the transfer of the matter to another judge.
Justice Belgore made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing parties in the suit, which had earlier been adjourned to hear an application for bail.
The court had, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, postponed proceedings to Thursday to consider a bail application filed on behalf of El-Rufai.
However, at the resumed hearing, the judge informed counsel that he would no longer continue with the case due to his impending leave.
Consequently, the matter will now be reassigned to another judge, who will determine the next steps in the legal proceedings.
The suit, filed by El-Rufai, seeks the enforcement of his fundamental human rights against several federal agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Department of State Services, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
In the suit, El-Rufai is challenging the legality of his detention and is asking the court to protect his constitutional rights.
According to information released by his media office, El-Rufai has remained in custody since he voluntarily presented himself at the EFCC on Monday, February 16, 2026.
He was subsequently transferred to the custody of the ICPC on the night of February 18, 2026, where he has remained detained.
His legal team had filed a bail application, urging the court to grant him temporary freedom pending the determination of the substantive suit.
With the transfer of the case file, all parties are now expected to await a new hearing date once the Chief Judge assigns the matter to another judge.