The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until October 27, 2026, for definite hearing, 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 (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date on Monday to enable El-Rufai’s counsel, Akinyemi Aremu, respond to a counter-affidavit filed by the AGF challenging the former governor’s claims.
When the matter came up, Aremu informed the court that the case was scheduled for hearing.
However, counsel to the AGF, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, told the court that her client had filed a counter-affidavit and sought an extension of time to regularise the process and have it deemed properly filed and served.
Counsel representing El-Rufai, the IGP and the ICPC did not oppose the application, prompting Justice Abdulmalik to grant it and adjourn the case to October 27 for definite hearing.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, arose from the search of El-Rufai’s Abuja residence by ICPC and police operatives in February 2026.
El-Rufai initially joined the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court as a respondent alongside the ICPC, IGP and AGF. The magistrate was subsequently removed from the suit after the court observed that the former governor could not identify the particular magistrate he had sued.
The former governor is seeking N1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages, among other reliefs.
In the suit, El-Rufai is asking the court to declare that the search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19, 2026, violated his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.
He is also asking the court to declare any evidence obtained from what he described as an invalid search warrant inadmissible in any proceedings against him.
The former governor further wants an injunction restraining the respondents from relying on, using or tendering items allegedly seized during the search in any investigation, prosecution or other proceedings involving him.
He also wants the ICPC and police to return all items allegedly seized from his residence, together with a detailed inventory.
However, the ICPC has defended the search, saying it acted on a petition and obtained a valid search warrant before carrying out the operation.
The commission maintained in its counter-affidavit that its operatives, accompanied by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, executed the warrant on February 19 between 1:37pm and 3:56pm at the Abuja residence.
The ICPC said the operation was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai, and urged the court to dismiss the suit.
The police also maintained that the search was carried out pursuant to a warrant issued by a competent court and that its officers complied with the relevant legal procedures.
The respondents have therefore asked the court to dismiss El-Rufai’s claims, while the former governor is challenging the legality of the search and the admissibility of materials allegedly recovered from his residence.
The court is expected to hear the substantive arguments when the matter comes up on October 27.
