The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and four other respondents until March 25.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik postponed the hearing to allow all parties involved in the case to properly regularise and file their legal processes.
El-Rufai is seeking N1 billion in damages in the suit filed against the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court, the Nigeria Police Force through the Inspector-General of Police, and the Federal Ministry of Justice through the Attorney-General of the Federation.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that the case was scheduled for hearing. However, he explained that his client had only just responded to the counter-affidavit filed by the ICPC and was yet to reply to the one filed by the police.
Lawyers representing the ICPC and the police, Abdulsufiano Abubakar and Ezekiel Rimamsomte respectively, confirmed the development.
Following the submissions, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to March 25 for hearing. She also ordered that hearing notices be issued to the second and fourth respondents, the Chief Magistrate and the Attorney-General of the Federation who were not represented in court.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 and filed on February 20 by his lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), El-Rufai is seeking seven reliefs from the court.
The former governor is asking the court to declare that the invasion and search of his residence at No. 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 by operatives of the ICPC and the police violated his fundamental rights.
He argued that the action breached his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Nigerian Constitution.
El-Rufai also asked the court to rule that any evidence obtained from the search should be declared inadmissible in any legal proceedings against him, as it was allegedly obtained through an unlawful warrant and search.
In addition, he requested an injunction restraining the respondents from relying on or presenting any items seized during the operation in any investigation or prosecution involving him. He also asked the court to compel the ICPC and the police to return all items taken from his residence, along with a detailed inventory.
As part of the reliefs sought, the former governor is demanding N1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages.
However, in its counter-affidavit, the ICPC said its actions were based on a petition received against El-Rufai, which prompted an investigation.
The anti-graft agency maintained that its operatives carried out the search using a valid warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day between 1:37 pm and 3:56 pm at his Asokoro residence in Abuja.
According to the commission, the operation was conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El‑Rufai, and his son, Mohammed Bello El‑Rufai, with officers of the Nigeria Police Force also present.
The ICPC therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit.
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