The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned El-Rufai’s ₦1bn suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) until October 27, 2026, when the court is expected to hear the case for a definite hearing.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the new date on Monday after the AGF’s counsel, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, informed the court that a counter-affidavit had been filed in opposition to the claims made by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Lami-Shiru asked the court to grant an extension of time to regularise the AGF’s process and deem the counter-affidavit properly filed and served. Counsel representing El-Rufai, the Inspector-General of Police and the ICPC did not oppose the application, allowing the judge to grant the request before fixing October 27 for further proceedings.
El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Suit Follows Abuja Residence Search
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, arose from a search of El-Rufai’s Abuja residence by ICPC operatives accompanied by police officers on February 19, 2026. The former governor filed the suit on February 20 through his legal team, challenging the circumstances surrounding the operation and seeking several declarations and orders from the court.
El-Rufai is asking the court to declare that the search violated his fundamental rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy, which are protected under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution.
He is also seeking an order declaring any evidence obtained during the search inadmissible, arguing that the operation was conducted pursuant to an invalid warrant. In addition, the former governor wants the respondents and their agents prevented from using, relying on or tendering items or evidence allegedly recovered from his residence in any investigation, prosecution or other proceeding involving him.
El-Rufai is further asking the court to direct the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return the items allegedly seized during the operation and provide a detailed inventory of the materials recovered from the residence.
The former governor is seeking ₦1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages over what he describes as violations of his fundamental rights during the search.
ICPC, Police Oppose Former Governor’s Claims
The respondents have disputed the allegations contained in the suit and have asked the court to dismiss El-Rufai’s claims.
In its counter-affidavit, the ICPC said it received a petition against the former governor and began an investigation that led to the search of his residence. The commission maintained that its operatives acted pursuant to a search warrant issued by a competent court before carrying out the operation.
According to the ICPC, the warrant was issued on February 18 and executed at the residence the following day, with police personnel accompanying its operatives during the exercise. The commission also said the operation took place in the presence of members of El-Rufai’s family and listed items it said were recovered from the residence.
The police similarly rejected the former governor’s challenge to the legality of the search, maintaining that its officers acted under a valid warrant and complied with the applicable legal procedures.
In its response, the police also argued that it has statutory powers to detect crime, arrest suspects, investigate allegations and prosecute offenders, while rejecting the contention that the warrant used during the search was invalid.
The police further asked the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the fundamental-rights action should not prevent an ongoing investigation or possible prosecution.
Magistrate Removed From Case
El-Rufai initially included the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrates’ Court of the Federal Capital Territory among the respondents in the case, but the judicial officer was later removed from the proceedings.
The development followed the court’s observation that El-Rufai had not identified the particular magistrate against whom he was seeking relief. The remaining respondents are therefore the ICPC, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General of the Federation.
The court’s latest adjournment means the parties will return on October 27 to present their positions on the claims and responses already filed. The proceedings will determine how the court addresses El-Rufai’s challenge to the search and his requests for damages, return of the seized items and restrictions on the use of evidence allegedly recovered during the operation.