Justice Hussaini Belgore announced his recusal in open court on Thursday, directing that the case file be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, for reassignment to another judge. The judge cited an upcoming leave period as the reason for stepping aside, noting that he would be unavailable to continue overseeing the proceedings.
The development throws the timing of the case into question. A new judge must first be appointed by the Chief Judge before fresh hearing dates can be scheduled, meaning the proceedings could face significant delays.
The former governor honoured an EFCC invitation on February 16 over allegations of misappropriating 432 billion naira during his tenure in Kaduna State. After being granted administrative bail by the EFCC, El-Rufai was transferred to ICPC custody before he could meet his bail conditions — a move his lawyers have strongly contested.
