The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the N1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to October 27, 2026, for definite hearing after the AGF’s counsel filed a counter-affidavit opposing El-Rufai’s claims.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Akinyemi Aremu, did not oppose the application seeking an extension of time to regularise the AGF’s processes. The court subsequently granted the application and fixed a new date.
The former governor instituted the suit over the February 19 search of his Abuja residence, asking the court to declare the operation a violation of his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy.
He also wants the court to declare any evidence recovered during the search inadmissible and order the respondents to return items seized from his residence.
El-Rufai is demanding N1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages.
However, the ICPC denied wrongdoing, saying it acted on a petition against the former governor and obtained a valid search warrant from a competent court before conducting the operation.
The commission said its operatives, accompanied by police personnel, executed the warrant at the residence between 1:37pm and 3:56pm on February 19, in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed.
The police similarly maintained that the search was carried out pursuant to a valid court-issued warrant and within its statutory powers to investigate alleged offences.
The respondents have urged the court to dismiss El-Rufai’s suit.
The case is now scheduled for October 27 for definite hearing.
Nasir El-Rufai and ICPC logo
