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Nasir El-Rufai seeks ₦1bn damages over alleged unlawful search of Abuja residence.
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Federal High Court postpones hearing to allow parties regularise court processes.
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Case involves Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday adjourned a 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 others until March 25 for hearing.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case to allow all parties in the suit to regularise their legal processes.
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El-Rufai is demanding ₦1 billion in damages against the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate Court of the FCT, the Nigeria Police Force represented by the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
During proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that although they had responded to the ICPC’s counter-affidavit, they were yet to file a response to that of the police.
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Counsel to the anti-corruption agency, Abdulsufiano Abubakar, and the police lawyer, Ezekiel Rimamsomte, confirmed the development.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter and ordered that the Chief Magistrate and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were absent in court, be served with hearing notices.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, filed by his counsel Oluwole Iyamu, the former governor asked the court to declare that the search of his residence at 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 by ICPC operatives and police officers violated his fundamental rights.
He argued that the action breached his 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 urged the court to declare that any evidence obtained during the search should be deemed inadmissible, claiming it was secured through an invalid warrant and unlawful procedure.
He further requested an injunction restraining the respondents from using any items recovered during the search in investigations or legal proceedings against him, and asked the court to compel the agencies to return all items seized from his residence.
However, the ICPC, in its counter-affidavit, maintained that the search was lawful and carried out under a valid warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day.
The commission said the operation was conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai, and urged the court to dismiss the suit.
