The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2 for judgment in 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), the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date on Wednesday after lawyers representing the respondents adopted their court processes and urged the court to dismiss the suit.
El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in damages over the search of his Abuja residence in February, which he alleges violated his rights to privacy, personal liberty, dignity and fair hearing.
He also wants the court to order the return of items seized during the operation and provide a detailed inventory of the recovered materials.
The ICPC and police, however, maintained that the search was conducted under a valid warrant issued by a competent court. The commission said it acted on a petition against the former governor and was investigating allegations arising from it.
The Attorney-General’s office also defended the agencies’ actions, arguing that they acted within their statutory powers. It further contended that the suit lacked merit and constituted an abuse of court process because related cases were pending before an FCT High Court.
El-Rufai’s lawyer arrived after the court had deemed his client’s processes adopted. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter for judgment.