Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has withdrawn a fundamental rights enforcement suit in which he sought N1 billion in damages from a chief magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate’s Court.
The withdrawal was announced on Tuesday by his counsel, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The decision came after the judge previously raised concerns over procedural defects in the suit, specifically the failure to properly identify the magistrate who was listed as the second defendant.
At the resumed hearing, Mr. Nnakwu informed the court that a fresh application had been filed to discontinue the case against the magistrate. “We urge my lord to strike out the name of the second defendant as a party in this suit,” he said, adding that the earlier motion *ex parte* seeking substituted service should also be struck out.
In a related development, proceedings in a separate corruption case against Mr. El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Kaduna were adjourned until Wednesday for the hearing of his bail application.
The adjournment took place amid tight security at the court premises, underscoring the high public interest in the matter. Mr. El-Rufai, who is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), faces a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property, possession of stolen goods, and money laundering.
His counsel, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed the adjournment but declined further comment. Following the proceedings, the former governor was escorted from the court by ICPC operatives.
He had previously been granted temporary release on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo.
Mr. El-Rufai was also arraigned on Tuesday before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on separate charges filed by the state government. Alongside one co-defendant, Amadu Sule, he is facing allegations including abuse of office, fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
This state-level case is distinct from the federal charges brought by the ICPC.
The former governor, who led Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has denied all allegations. His legal team continues to maintain his innocence across all pending matters.