El-Rufai Withdraws ₦1 Billion Rights Suit Against Magistrate

On Tuesday, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai withdrew his ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Chief Magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory Magistrate's Court. The withdrawal was communicated to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in the Federal High Court, Abuja, by El-Rufai's counsel shortly after the matter was called.

The motion to withdraw the suit was filed on March 30, and the magistrate's name was subsequently struck from the suit. El-Rufai's legal action stemmed from a search warrant executed at his residence on February 19, which he argued violated his fundamental rights, including human dignity and privacy.

The court has adjourned the matter to June 17 to allow the plaintiff to file an amended process. El-Rufai's suit named several defendants, including the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation, and sought to declare the evidence obtained during the search as inadmissible.