Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has approached the Federal High Court seeking to quash criminal charges filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
In an application filed before the court, El-Rufai is also demanding N2 billion in damages, alleging misuse of the criminal justice process.
According to a statement issued by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor filed a motion challenging the competence and legality of Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 instituted by the DSS.
The matter is scheduled for hearing on February 25, 2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
In the motion on notice, El-Rufai is asking the court to strike out the charge on grounds that it is incompetent, discloses no offence known to law and constitutes what he described as an abuse of court process.
Among the reliefs sought are an order quashing the charge in its entirety, an order discharging him on the basis that no prima facie case has been established, and an award of N2 billion in costs against the DSS.
Court documents indicate that the application cites 17 grounds for dismissal of the charges, including alleged constitutional violations, lack of prosecutorial competence and absence of evidence.
The filing further contends that the prosecution breaches constitutional safeguards such as the presumption of innocence, the right against self-incrimination and the requirement that offences be defined by written law.
El-Rufai’s legal team has formally notified the Director-General of the DSS of the application.
The Federal High Court is expected to hear arguments from both parties on February 25, when it will determine whether the charge proceeds to trial or is struck out at the preliminary stage.