The N1bn fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai against the ICPC, police and Attorney-General of the Federation has been adjourned until October 27.

Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned a 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) to October 27 for definite hearing.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case to enable El-Rufai’s counsel, Akinyemi Aremu, to respond to a counter-affidavit filed by the AGF opposing the former governor’s claims.

When the matter was called, Aremu told the court that it was scheduled for hearing.

Counsel for the AGF, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, however, informed the court that her client had filed a counter-affidavit and sought leave to regularise it by extending the time within which it could be deemed properly filed and served.

Aremu, counsel to the IGP, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and counsel to the ICPC did not oppose the application.

Justice Abdulmalik granted the application and subsequently adjourned the suit until October 27 for definite hearing.

El-Rufai had initially joined the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrates’ Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a respondent but later withdrew the name after the court observed that he could not identify the magistrate he had sued.

The former governor is now seeking N1 billion in damages from the ICPC, IGP and AGF over a search of his residence in Abuja.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 and filed on February 20 by Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, El-Rufai is asking the court for seven reliefs.

He is seeking a declaration that the search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 constituted a violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.

He is also asking the court to declare any evidence obtained from the search inadmissible on the ground that it was allegedly obtained pursuant to an invalid warrant and unlawful search.

The former governor further wants an injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from relying on, using or tendering any items or evidence seized during the search in any investigation, prosecution or other proceedings involving him.

He is also seeking an order directing the ICPC and IGP to return all items allegedly seized from his residence and provide a detailed inventory of the items.

In addition, he is claiming N1 billion as general, exemplary and aggravated damages.
But the respondents have opposed the claims.

In its counter-affidavit, the ICPC said it received a petition against El-Rufai and commenced an investigation which led to the search of his residence.

The commission maintained that its operatives acted pursuant to a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day between 1:37 p.m. and 3:56 p.m. at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

It said police personnel accompanied its officials during the operation and that the exercise was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed.

The ICPC also listed items it said were recovered from the residence and urged the court to dismiss the suit.

The police, in its own counter-affidavit deposed to by Inspector Ewa Anthony, maintained that it had the statutory powers to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders.

It said the search was carried out pursuant to a warrant issued by a competent court and rejected El-Rufai’s contention that the warrant was invalid.

According to the police, its officers complied with the applicable legal procedures in executing the warrant.

The police further argued that El-Rufai was seeking to use the court to shield himself from an ongoing security investigation and possible prosecution.

It consequently urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.