Court postpones El-Rufai’s N1bn fundamental rights case against ICPC, others

The Federal High Court in Abuja has 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 other government officials.

The case was postponed until March 25 by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik to allow the parties involved to regularise their court processes.

El-Rufai is seeking N1 billion in damages in the suit filed against the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the Nigeria Police Force through the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Court delays hearing to allow filings

During proceedings, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that the matter had been scheduled for hearing but that the legal team had only recently responded to the counter affidavit filed by the ICPC and had yet to reply to that of the police.

Lawyers representing the ICPC and the police confirmed the position presented by the applicant’s counsel.

Following the submissions, the court adjourned the case to March 25 for hearing and directed that hearing notices be issued to the Chief Magistrate and the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were not represented in court.

Ex-governor challenges search of Abuja residence

In the suit, El-Rufai is asking the court to declare that the search of his residence at Mambilla Street in Asokoro, Abuja, carried out on February 19, violated his constitutional rights.

He argued that the operation breached his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.

The former governor is also requesting a court order declaring that any evidence obtained during the search should be considered inadmissible in any legal proceedings against him.

El-Rufai’s family demands his release, says ICPC detention has no legal basis

In addition, he is asking the court to restrain the respondents from relying on any items seized during the operation and to compel the authorities to return all property taken from his residence, alongside a detailed inventory.

ICPC, police defend legality of operation

In response, the ICPC said it acted on a petition received against the former governor and began investigations that led to the search of his residence.

The commission said its operatives carried out the operation with a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day at the property in Asokoro.

According to the anti-corruption agency, the search was conducted in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai.

The police also defended the action, arguing that the force has statutory powers to detect, investigate, and prosecute criminal offences.

It maintained that the operation at the residence was carried out in accordance with a valid warrant issued by a competent court and complied with all applicable legal procedures.

The police urged the court to dismiss the suit, stating that the applicant was attempting to use the legal process to obstruct an ongoing investigation.