Former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai on Tuesday yanked his N1 billion fundamental-rights suit against a chief magistrate in the FCT Magistrate’s Court, who had been listed as the second defendant.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court, Abuja, moments after the case was called for an ex-parte motion.
The move came after the judge pointed out last week that the suit had failed to properly identify the magistrate.
Nnakwu filed a motion on 30 March asking the court to delete the magistrate’s name and the earlier ex-parte application. Justice Abdulmalik granted the request, struck out the magistrate, and adjourned so El-Rufai could tidy up the filing.
El-Rufai is still chasing the same N1 billion from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Inspector-General of Police, and Attorney-General of the Federation, who remain defendants one, three and four.
He filed the action on 20 February 2026, saying ICPC and police officers raided his home at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja on 19 February without lawful justification. He claims the search trampled his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy under sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.
El-Rufai wants all items seized returned, an order barring the agencies from using anything taken as evidence, and general, exemplary and aggravated damages.
The ICPC says it acted on a petition, executing a search warrant issued on 18 February between 1:37 pm and 3:56 pm while El-Rufai’s wife Hadiza and son Mohammed looked on. It wants the suit dismissed.
The Nigeria Police Force, in a counter-affidavit, insists the operation was backed by statute and a valid court order, accusing El-Rufai of trying to dodge legitimate investigation.
Justice Abdulmalik told the court El-Rufai may re-file, and any other party wishing to react can do so by counter-affidavit.
The case is adjourned.
