The former Governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed an application at the Federal High Court seeking to quash charges brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the allegations as baseless, incompetent, and a gross abuse of court process.
The case, Charge Number FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, is scheduled for hearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
In his motion, El-Rufai is asking the court to strike out the DSS charge for disclosing no offence known to law and to discharge him on the grounds that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case.
He is also seeking N2 billion in costs from the DSS, citing what his legal team described as reckless and unconstitutional misuse of the criminal justice system to harass and publicly victimize him.
The motion, filed on 17th February 2026 through his lawyers, formally notified the DSS via a letter dated 18th February 2026. According to his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, the filing includes 17 grounds for dismissal, citing constitutional violations, lack of prosecutorial competence, absence of evidence, duplicity, and political persecution.
The court papers argue that the DSS prosecution infringed on El-Rufai’s fundamental rights, including the presumption of innocence, protection against self-incrimination, and freedoms of expression and association.
The motion further contends that the charges reference offences not recognized by law and fail to meet statutory conditions, amounting to political misuse of the justice system.
The court’s ruling, expected soon, will determine whether the charges against the former governor are dismissed.
