Court dismisses el-Rufai’s defamation suit against Shehu Sani

A Kaduna High Court has struck out the libel and defamation lawsuit filed by the immediate-past governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, against former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, Shehu Sani.

El-Rufai had initially filed a N2 billion suit against Shehu Sani in 2018, seeking relief for alleged injuries suffered as a result of “statements” made by Sani. He alleged that Sani had referred to him as a “drunk, loose cannon and an embarrassment to President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Justice H. Balogun struck out the lawsuit on the grounds of constituting an abuse of court process as El-Rufai had previously filed several suits over the same cause of action before different courts in Kaduna State.

Sani’s lawyer, Barr. Kimi Livingstone Appah had initially filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit. He also noted that the same case had been filed in four different courts in the state, constituting an abuse of court process.

Appah who addressed journalists after the case was struck out, described the ruling as a victory for democracy and freedom of expression.