El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Rights Suit Against ICPC: Court Adjourns Hearing

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until October 27, 2026, the hearing of a ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the new date after counsel representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, informed the court that the Federal Government had filed a counter-affidavit and required additional time to regularise the process.

According to reports, lawyers representing the other parties, including El-Rufai’s counsel, Akinyemi Aremu, did not oppose the application.

The court subsequently granted the request and adjourned the matter for definite hearing on October 27.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, followed a search conducted at El-Rufai’s Abuja residence on February 19 by operatives of the ICPC and the police.

El-Rufai initially listed the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory Magistrates’ Court, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.

However, the former governor later withdrew the magistrate from the case after the court questioned his failure to identify the particular magistrate being sued. The magistrate was subsequently removed from the suit.

El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in damages from the remaining respondents over the search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja.

In his originating motion, the former governor asked the court to declare that the search violated his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Nigerian Constitution.

He also wants the court to rule that evidence obtained through what he described as an invalid warrant and unlawful search should not be admissible in any proceedings against him.

Furthermore, El-Rufai is seeking an order preventing the ICPC and police from using or tendering items allegedly seized during the operation. He also wants the seized property returned alongside a detailed inventory.

In its counter-affidavit, the ICPC stated that it commenced an investigation after receiving a petition against the former governor.

The commission maintained that its operatives conducted the search based on a warrant issued by a competent court on February 18 and executed the following day.

According to the ICPC, the search took place between 1:37 p.m. and 3:56 p.m. and was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed.

The anti-corruption agency also listed items it claimed were recovered during the operation and urged the court to dismiss the suit.

The police, in its separate counter-affidavit, argued that it possessed the statutory authority to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute suspected offenders.

The police maintained that the search was conducted pursuant to a valid court warrant and rejected El-Rufai’s claim that the warrant was invalid.

It further argued that its officers complied with the relevant procedures during the operation and urged the court to dismiss the former governor’s case.

The matter remains pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja, with proceedings scheduled to continue on October 27, 2026.