Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai Amends One Billion Naira Fundamental Rights Suit Following Magistrate Withdrawal in Abuja

Nasir El-Rufai withdraws suit against Abuja magistrate in N1bn rights case. Federal High Court adjourns the matter to June 17, 2026, for amended filings.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 8:46 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Legal Recalibration in High Profile Rights Litigation

The legal battle initiated by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has entered a new phase following a strategic withdrawal of charges against a key judicial officer. During Tuesday’s proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, El-Rufai’s legal team moved to strike out the name of the magistrate originally cited as the second defendant. This tactical shift comes as the former governor pursues a N1 billion claim for damages, alleging that his fundamental rights were breached during a high profile search of his residence.

Procedural Flaws Prompt Removal of Judicial Defendant

The decision to remove the magistrate from the suit followed specific observations made by the court regarding the identification of the parties involved. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had previously noted that the magistrate was not properly identified in the initial filings, creating a procedural bottleneck for the defense. Counsel for the plaintiff, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, responded by filing a fresh application to withdraw the suit against the judicial officer, a request that met with no opposition from the legal representatives of the police or the Attorney General.

Defense Challenges the Foundation of the Amended Claim

The withdrawal has sparked a debate over the continued viability of the lawsuit, with defense counsel arguing that the removal of the magistrate fundamentally weakens the plaintiff’s position. Abdul Mohammed, SAN, representing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, contended that the core of the case rests on the search warrant issued by that specific magistrate. According to his view, removing the source of the warrant essentially leaves the court without a valid case to adjudicate, though the judge maintained that the plaintiff has the right to amend his strategy as he sees fit.