El-Rufai Withdraws N1bn Rights Suit Against Magistrate

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai withdrew his N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against a magistrate, which was pending in the Federal High Court in Abuja. The withdrawal occurred on a Tuesday following concerns raised about the trial judge, Justice Joyc Abdulmalik, regarding the plaintiff's failure to properly identify the magistrate as the second defendant.

El-Rufai's counsel, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, informed the court of the motion to discontinue the case, which was filed on March 30. The court was urged to strike the magistrate's name from the proceedings.

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently struck the magistrate's name from the suit, and the matter was adjourned until June 17 to allow the plaintiff to amend the original process.

El-Rufai's suit seeks seven reliefs, including N1 billion in damages, challenging the legality of a search conducted at his residence on February 19, 2026.