The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2 for judgment in Nasir El-Rufai’s N1 billion rights suit against the ICPC, I-G and AGF over the search of his Abuja residence.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in 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 (I-G) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date on Tuesday, October 27, after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.
When the case was called, El-Rufai’s counsel was initially absent, prompting the judge to deem the former governor’s filed processes adopted.
Abdul Mohammed, SAN, who represented the ICPC, adopted the commission’s processes and urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
The I-G’s counsel, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and the Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law in the AGF’s office, Mrs Maimuna Lami-Shiru, also adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the suit.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, entered the courtroom and apologised for arriving late. However, when he sought permission to adopt his processes, the judge informed him that they had already been deemed adopted.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2 for judgment.
El-Rufai is seeking N1 billion in damages over the search of his residence at 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19, 2026, which he alleged violated his fundamental rights.
The former governor initially listed the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the I-G and the AGF as respondents in the suit. However, he later removed the magistrate’s name after the judge observed that he had failed to identify the judicial officer in question.
In an originating motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, dated and filed on February 20 by his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, El-Rufai sought seven reliefs from the court.
He asked the court to declare that the search of his residence by ICPC operatives and police officers constituted a violation of his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He also sought a declaration that any evidence obtained through what he described as an invalid search warrant and unlawful search should be inadmissible in proceedings against him.
Additionally, El-Rufai requested an injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from using or presenting items seized during the search in any investigation, prosecution or other proceedings involving him.
He further asked the court to direct the ICPC and the I-G to return all items seized from his residence, alongside a detailed inventory of the recovered materials.
The former governor also demanded N1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages, among other reliefs.
In its counter-affidavit, the ICPC said it began investigating El-Rufai after receiving a petition against him, adding that the investigation led to the search of his residence.
The commission maintained that its operatives acted under 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 its officials were accompanied by police personnel and that the exercise was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.
The commission also listed items it said were recovered during the operation and urged the court to dismiss the suit.
Similarly, the I-G, in a counter-affidavit deposed to by Inspector Ewa Anthony, argued that the police had the statutory authority to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders.
The police chief maintained that the search was conducted pursuant to a warrant issued by a competent court and insisted that his officers complied with the applicable legal procedures.
He accused El-Rufai of attempting to use the court to shield himself from security investigations and possible prosecution, urging the judge to dismiss the suit.
In his response, the AGF denied being privy to the facts surrounding the alleged search but argued that the ICPC and the police acted within their statutory responsibilities.
He said the seized items were required by the agencies to complete their investigation into the former governor.
The AGF also described the suit as an abuse of court process, arguing that El-Rufai had two pending cases on the same subject matter before the FCT High Court.
He maintained that the former governor had failed to provide sufficient legal and evidential grounds to justify the reliefs sought and urged the Federal High Court to dismiss the case.
The court is expected to deliver its judgment on December 2, when it will determine the claims and arguments presented by the parties.
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