Court Fixes December 2 For Judgment In El-Rufai’s N1bn Suit Against ICPC

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2 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) and other respondents. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date on Wednesday after lawyers representing the parties adopted their court processes. El-Rufai’s counsel arrived late, and the judge had already deemed his processes adopted before he sought permission to present them.

El-Rufai Seeks N1bn Damages

El-Rufai is seeking N1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages against the ICPC, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation. He alleged that operatives of the ICPC and the police violated his fundamental rights during a search of his Abuja residence in February. The former governor asked the court to declare the search unlawful, arguing that it violated his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution. He also sought an order directing the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return all items seized during the operation and provide a detailed inventory.

ICPC, Police Defend Search

In its counter-affidavit, the ICPC said it began investigating El-Rufai after receiving a petition against him. The commission maintained that the search was conducted under a valid warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day. It said its operatives were accompanied by police personnel and that the exercise was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed. The Inspector-General of Police also argued that the search was conducted under a valid court warrant, insisting that the police acted within their statutory powers to investigate suspected offences. Both respondents urged the court to dismiss the suit.

AGF Challenges Suit

The Attorney-General of the Federation, represented by the Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, denied being privy to the facts of the alleged incident. The AGF argued that the ICPC and police acted within their statutory responsibilities and that the seized items were required to conclude the investigation. He also described the suit as an abuse of court process, claiming that El-Rufai had two related cases pending before the FCT High Court. The respondents maintained that the suit lacked merit and urged the court to dismiss it. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2 for judgment.