El-Rufai Seeks Dismissal of DSS Case, Demands N2bn in Damages
by Beady Nnanna ·
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has asked a court to dismiss an ongoing case involving the Department of State Services (DSS), arguing that the proceedings constitute an abuse of legal process.
In a motion filed before the court, El-Rufai is also seeking N2 billion in compensation, marking a significant legal counteraction against the allegations brought against him.
What El-Rufai Is Asking the Court to Do
In his application, El-Rufai is requesting that the court quash—formally set aside—the case initiated by the DSS. A motion to quash typically argues that a case is legally defective or improperly instituted and should not proceed to trial.
By filing this motion, the former governor is asking the court to determine whether the suit meets the legal standards required to continue.
The Basis: Alleged Abuse of Process
Central to El-Rufai’s argument is the claim that the case amounts to an “abuse of process.” In legal terms, this refers to the improper use of judicial procedures, such as filing multiple suits on the same issue, pursuing a matter for ulterior motives, or engaging the court system in a way that is oppressive or unfair.
El-Rufai’s legal team contends that the DSS action falls within this category, though the court will ultimately decide whether that threshold has been met.
The Compensation Claim: N2 Billion
Alongside his request for dismissal, El-Rufai is seeking N2 billion in damages. Compensation claims of this nature are typically framed as redress for reputational harm, legal costs, and other alleged consequences arising from what the applicant considers wrongful litigation.
The court will assess whether there is sufficient legal basis for such an award if it agrees with his claims.
What This Means for the Case Moving Forward
The filing of the motion introduces a preliminary legal question that must be resolved before the substantive issues of the case can proceed. The court is expected to hear arguments from both parties on whether the suit should be struck out or allowed to continue.
If the motion succeeds, the case could be dismissed at this stage. If it fails, proceedings are likely to move forward to a full hearing on the merits.
Details of any hearing dates or deadlines are expected to emerge as the court schedules further proceedings.
