Former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai has filed a motion at the Federal High Court seeking to quash charges brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), describing them as incompetent, baseless, and a gross abuse of court process.
The charges, filed under FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, are scheduled for hearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on 25th February 2026.
In a statement signed by Muyiwa Adekeye, Media Adviser to Malam Nasir El-Rufai and made available to The News Chronicle on Tuesday, El-Rufai’s motion, filed on 17 February 2026, demands:
An order striking out the DSS charges for failing to disclose an offence recognized by law.
A discharge of El-Rufai on the grounds that the prosecution has presented no prima facie case.
N2 billion in costs against the DSS for “reckless and unconstitutional misuse of the criminal justice system to harass and publicly victimize” him.
The court papers, citing 17 grounds, argue that the charges violate the Constitution and El-Rufai’s fundamental rights, including:
Presumption of innocence (Section 36(5))
Right against self-incrimination (Section 36(11))
Requirement that offences be defined in written law (Section 36(12))
Freedom of expression (Section 39)
Freedom of association (Section 40)
Other grounds cited include fatal duplicity, lack of evidence, prosecutorial incompetence, political persecution, and abuse of court process.
El-Rufai’s legal team formally notified the DSS of the filings and their representation via a letter dated 18 February 2026.
