El-Rufai Withdraws N1 Billion Rights Suit Against Abuja Magistrate
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has withdrawn his N1 billion fundamental rights suit against a chief magistrate at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The withdrawal comes after the court observed that the suit failed to name the magistrate properly, prompting an adjournment. Ugochukwu Nnakwu, El-Rufai's counsel, filed a withdrawal motion dated March 30, which was not opposed by counsel for the police, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The court, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, struck out the magistrate and the withdrawal motion, and adjourned the case to June 17 for El-Rufai's proposed amended suit. El-Rufai had filed the suit on February 20, alleging that the ICPC and police violated his rights under Sections 34-37 of the Constitution via a search of his Aso Drive residence on February 19. He seeks declarations of invalidity, return of seized items, an injunction against using the evidence, and N1 billion in damages.
ICPC and police countered that the search followed a valid warrant and was witnessed by El-Rufai's wife and son, and that it stemmed from a petition. They listed recovered items and urged dismissal, denying any procedural breach.
