Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has withdrawn his N1 billion suit against a magistrate in Abuja's Federal High Court. The move comes after concerns were raised by the trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, about the plaintiff's failure to properly identify the magistrate listed as the second defendant.
El-Rufai's counsel, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, informed the court that a motion dated March 30 had been filed to discontinue the case against the magistrate. The court subsequently struck out the name of the magistrate and an ex parte application seeking substituted service of court processes.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Attorney-General of the Federation are respondents in the case. The ICPC's counsel, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), argued that removing the magistrate renders the case incompetent, but the judge disagreed.
El-Rufai had instituted the suit to challenge the legality of a search conducted at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja, on February 19, 2026. He is seeking N1 billion in damages and a declaration that any evidence obtained from the search is inadmissible.
The court has adjourned the matter to June 17 to allow the plaintiff file amended processes.
