Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Withdraws Suit Against FCT Magistrate

Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Withdraws Suit Against FCT Magistrate

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has withdrawn his fundamental rights enforcement suit against a Chief Magistrate at the FCT Magistrate’s Court in a ₦1 billion case.

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Counsel to El-Rufai, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja of the development shortly after the matter was called. The withdrawal follows a court observation that the suit had failed to properly identify the magistrate listed as the second defendant.

At the resumed hearing, Nnakwu explained that although the case was scheduled for hearing of a motion ex parte seeking substituted service on the magistrate, a fresh motion had been filed on March 30 to withdraw the suit against the second defendant.

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

Justice Abdulmalik, in a brief ruling, struck out the magistrate’s name from the ex parte motion. Following this, Nnakwu requested an adjournment to allow for amendments to the suit.

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

Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Withdraws Suit Against FCT Magistrate