El-Rufai withdraws ₦1bn rights suit against FCT Magistrate

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has withdrawn his fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against a Chief Magistrate at the FCT Magistrate’s Court in a ₦1 billion case.

Counsel to the ex-governor, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja of the development shortly after the matter was called.

The withdrawal followed an earlier observation by the court, which faulted the suit for failing to properly identify the magistrate listed as the second defendant.

At the resumed hearing, Nnakwu explained that although the case was slated for hearing of a motion ex parte seeking substituted service on the magistrate, a fresh motion had been filed to withdraw the suit against the second defendant.

The motion, dated March 30, was filed the same day.

Other parties in the matter, including representatives of the police, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, did not oppose the application.

In a brief ruling, Justice Abdulmalik struck out the magistrate’s name from the ex parte motion.

Following this, Nnakwu requested an adjournment to allow for amendments to the suit.

Meanwhile, proceedings in the broader case continue, with related legal issues still pending before the court.