The El-Rufai ₦1bn rights suit will come up for judgment on December 2, 2026, as the Federal High Court in Abuja prepares to determine the former Kaduna State governor’s claims against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation. The case centres on a search of Nasir El-Rufai’s Abuja residence in February and his allegation that the operation breached his fundamental rights.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the judgment date on October 27 after lawyers representing the parties adopted their court processes and presented their positions. The respondents urged the court to dismiss the case, while El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in damages and other reliefs. The judge has yet to determine whether the search violated his constitutional rights.
Why El-Rufai Filed the ₦1bn Rights Suit
El-Rufai instituted the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, following a search conducted at his residence at 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19, 2026. He named the ICPC, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents in the suit.
The former governor argues that the search violated his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. He is also challenging the validity of the warrant that authorised the operation, contending that evidence obtained through an allegedly unlawful search should not be used against him.
Through the El-Rufai ₦1bn rights suit, he is asking the court to declare the search unlawful and award him ₦1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages. He has also requested an order directing the ICPC and the police to return the items seized during the operation and provide a detailed inventory of the recovered materials.
In addition, El-Rufai wants the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from relying on or presenting the seized items as evidence in investigations, prosecutions or other proceedings involving him. These requests form part of his claims and remain subject to the court’s decision.
ICPC and Police Maintain Search Was Lawful
The ICPC has opposed the former governor’s claims, stating in its court filings that it received a petition against him and commenced an investigation that led to the search of his residence. The commission maintains that its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18, 2026, and executed the following day.
According to the commission, police personnel accompanied its officers during the operation, which it said took place between approximately 1:37 p.m. and 3:56 p.m. The ICPC also listed items allegedly recovered from the property and urged the court to dismiss the suit.
The Inspector-General of Police similarly defended the operation, arguing that the police have statutory powers to detect, investigate and prosecute suspected offences. The police also maintained that officers conducted the search under a warrant issued by a competent court.
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation argued that the ICPC and police acted within their lawful responsibilities. The Attorney-General also questioned the legal basis of El-Rufai’s claims and contended that other pending cases involving the same subject matter raised concerns about the proceedings. All three respondents asked the court to dismiss the suit.
Court Sets Date After Lawyers Adopt Court Processes
During the October 27 proceedings, counsel for the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed, adopted the commission’s filings and urged the judge to dismiss the case. The lawyers representing the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation also adopted their respective processes.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, was absent when the matter was initially called. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted. Akpan later arrived, apologised for his lateness and sought permission to adopt the documents, but the judge informed him that the court had already taken that step.
The judge then adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, for judgment.
The forthcoming decision will determine how the court addresses El-Rufai’s constitutional claims and the remedies he has requested. Until the judgment is delivered, the allegations against the respondents and their defence remain the respective positions of the parties rather than findings established by the court.