By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The judge presiding over the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has recused himself from the proceedings. The withdrawal is due to the judge’s scheduled leave, leading to the case file being returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for reassignment to another judicial officer.

The suit, brought before the FCT High Court, alleges violations of El-Rufai’s fundamental rights. Among the grievances cited are an alleged unlawful invasion of his residence in Abuja by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The case also involves other agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), in connection with ongoing legal matters concerning the former governor.

The recusal was confirmed to be by Justice Hussaini Belgore. Consequently, proceedings in the fundamental rights case have been indefinitely paused pending the reassignment of the matter by the Chief Judge.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A fresh twist emerged in the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Friday, as a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that his earlier bail no longer stands following the reassignment of his case.

The court held that since the matter had commenced afresh before it, all previous proceedings — including the bail granted by Justice Emeka Nwite — were deemed terminated, thereby requiring a fresh bail application.

The EFCC had filed a 16-count charge against the former AGF, over alleged money laundering and unlawful acquisition of assets running into over N8.7 billion.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution, led by J.S. Okutepa, announced appearance and applied that the pleas of the defendants be taken on the amended 16-count charge.

Malami, his son, Abdulaziz, and his wife, Asabe, each pleaded not guilty to the amended charges.

Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a date for trial.

The defence, led by J.B. Daudu (SAN), however, asked the court to sustain the earlier bail conditions granted by Justice Nwite, arguing that the Federal High Court is one court and that the defendants had already been admitted to bail.

Responding, the prosecution acknowledged that bail had previously been granted but argued that the new court retained the discretion to either adopt the earlier conditions or impose fresh ones.

He added that while he would not press the issue further, the court should impose conditions capable of ensuring the defendants’ attendance at trial.

Recall that the earlier bail conditions included N500m bail each, with one surety each who must own property in Maitama or Asokoro. The defendants were also required to deposit two international passports each with the court, while the residences of the sureties were to be verified by the Assistant Chief Registrar.

In her ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, held that where a case begins afresh due to reassignment, earlier proceedings are extinguished in law.

The defence conceded that there was no formal bail application before the court but sought to make an oral application.

The court declined, directing the defence to file a formal bail application and serve it on the prosecution, after which a short adjourned date would be given for hearing.

The defence further informed the court that fixing a trial date could pose difficulties because the first and second defendants were currently in the custody of the Department of State Services and were unreachable.

The court responded that it could not speculate on the position of any party and that the prosecution had a duty to ensure the defendants’ availability.

The prosecution, however, maintained that the defendants were not in its custody and that it could not compel the DSS to produce them.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter till March 6 for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of the trial.

She ordered that Malami and his son be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, while his wife be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that significantly alters the political landscape of the state.

In a statewide broadcast on Friday, the governor announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that he was joined by his entire cabinet and all state PDP executives.

Governor Fintiri framed his decision as being in the best interest of the state’s development, though he did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the switch.

“This action is for the developmental interest of the people of Adamawa State,” the governor said during his address.

The mass defection comes just days after a major shake-up in the State House of Assembly, where 14 lawmakers and the Speaker resigned from the PDP. While the timing suggests a coordinated political realignment, it remains unclear whether the legislative resignations were a precursor to the governor’s move or an independent development.

Further details on the political implications of the defection are expected in the coming days.