Court dismisses ex-Gov. El-Rufai’s libel, defamation suit against Shehu Sani
A High Court in Kaduna on Thursday reportedly dismissed a libel and defamation suit filed by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai against former senator Shehu Sani of Kaduna central senatorial district.
Giving the judgement on Thursday, the trial judge, Justice Hal Balogun, stated that the former governor’s suit was an abuse of court process, according to Sahara Reporters.
Defence counsel Kimi Appah was said to have initially filed a notice of preliminary objection to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit on the ground that the same case was filed in four different courts in the state.
Addressing journalists after the ruling, the defence counsel described the ruling as a victory for democracy and freedom of expression.
It would be recalled that Mr El-Rufai had in 2018 filed a N2 billion suit against Mr Sani, seeking reliefs for alleged injuries suffered as a result of “statements” made by Mr Sani.
Mr El-Rufai said that Mr Sani defamed him by referring to him as a “drunk, loose cannon and an embarrassment to President Muhammadu Buhari.”
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