Court fixes date for judgement in El-Rufai’s suit against ICPC, others

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgement in the 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).

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik scheduled the judgement after parties adopted their final court processes on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) are also defendants in the suit.

When the case was called, El-Rufai’s counsel was initially absent, prompting the court to deem all the former governor’s filed processes as adopted.

Counsel for the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s processes and urged the court to dismiss the suit. Lawyers representing the IGP and the AGF also adopted their submissions and asked the court to reject the claims.

Although El-Rufai’s lawyer later arrived and apologised for his lateness, the judge informed him that his client’s processes had already been deemed adopted before adjourning the case for judgement.

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El-Rufai is seeking N1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages over the February 19, 2026 search of his Abuja residence by ICPC operatives and police officers.

He is asking the court to declare that the search violated his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy.

He also wants any evidence obtained during the operation declared inadmissible, an order restraining authorities from relying on the seized items, and the immediate return of all property taken from his residence.

In response, the ICPC argued that the search followed a petition against the former governor and was carried out under a valid court-issued search warrant executed in the presence of his wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.

The police also maintained that the operation complied with all legal procedures and was conducted pursuant to a valid warrant issued by a competent court.

The AGF, through a counter-affidavit, said the anti-graft agency and the police acted within their statutory powers and argued that El-Rufai’s suit lacked merit.

The AGF added that the case amounted to an abuse of court process because similar matters are pending before the FCT High Court.