Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s N1bn Suit Against ICPC, AGF, Police

The Federal High Court in Abuja postponed a N1 billion lawsuit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to October 27 for a proper hearing. The other respondent in the suit was the Chief Magistrate at the Magistrate's Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja.

El-Rufai withdrew the name of the magistrate from the case due to the judge's observation about the inability to specify the magistrate's name. The lawsuit sought damages of N1 billion against the ICPC, IGP, and AGF. The former governor argued that the search and seizure of his residence by the ICPC and IGP on February 19 violated his fundamental rights, including dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.

El-Rufai demanded an order restraining the respondents from using any evidence or items seized during the unlawful search and an injunction to stop further reliance on such evidence in any investigation or prosecution. The ICPC and the IGP argued that their actions were carried out under valid warrants and complied with proper legal procedures, and requested the court to dismiss the case.