Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has suffered a setback in court over his bank accounts.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected his request to stop anti-graft agencies from freezing his assets.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the suit, ruling that it lacked merit and was based on speculation.
The decision leaves El-Rufai without the court order he sought to protect his accounts from possible restrictions.
The case involved the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other federal agencies.
The court also removed the EFCC, DSS and Attorney General of the Federation from the suit.
El-Rufai filed the case on February 24, asking the court to prevent the agencies from taking action against his assets. He wanted an order directing them to maintain the existing position while the matter was considered.
The former governor argued that the severance pay he received after leaving office was legitimate.
He served as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023.
He asked the court to declare that properties bought with the money were lawfully acquired.
He also argued that any move to freeze or seize his assets must follow the law.
El-Rufai said the agencies should provide credible evidence of reasonable suspicion before seeking freezing or forfeiture orders.
He maintained that actions taken without proper legal grounds could violate his rights.
In support of his case, El-Rufai relied on Section 17(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
He also cited a Supreme Court decision in Melrose General Services Ltd v. EFCC (2024).
He argued that the Constitution protects his presumption of innocence and right to a fair hearing.
He further claimed that applications made without disclosing important facts could breach those protections.
However, Justice Abdulmalik found that the suit disclosed no reasonable cause of action against the listed agencies.
The court consequently dismissed the case and struck out the EFCC, DSS and Attorney General.
The ruling marks a legal setback for El-Rufai as he seeks to protect his assets from possible action by anti-graft agencies.
