The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, to deliver judgment in a ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit 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 and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date on Tuesday after lawyers representing the parties adopted their court processes and presented their final arguments in the case.

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El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, was initially absent when the matter was called.

The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted before Akpan arrived and apologised for his lateness.

When the lawyer sought permission to adopt the documents, he was informed that the court had already made the relevant order.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, adopted the commission’s processes and urged the court to dismiss the suit.

The police, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, represented by the Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, also adopted their respective processes and asked the court to reject the claims.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, arose from a search of El-Rufai’s residence at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja, on February 19, 2026.

In his application, filed on February 20 through his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, the former governor argued that the search and seizure of items from his home violated his fundamental rights under the Nigerian Constitution.

He asked the court to declare that the operation breached his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.

El-Rufai also challenged the validity of the search warrant, arguing that any evidence obtained through what he described as an unlawful search should be declared inadmissible in proceedings against him.

Among the reliefs sought were an injunction preventing the respondents and their agents from using or tendering items seized during the operation in investigations, prosecutions or other proceedings involving him.

He also requested the return of the seized items, together with a detailed inventory, and ₦1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages.

The ICPC, however, disputed his claims in its counter-affidavit, stating that it had received a petition against the former governor and commenced an investigation.

The commission maintained that its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed the following day between 1:37pm and 3:56pm at the Abuja residence.

According to the ICPC, police personnel accompanied its officials during the operation, which was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza El-Rufai, and his son, Mohammed El-Rufai. The commission also listed items it said were recovered from the premises.

The Inspector-General of Police similarly maintained that the search was carried out pursuant to a valid warrant issued by a competent court.

In his counter-affidavit, the police chief argued that officers involved in the operation acted within their statutory powers to detect, arrest and investigate suspected offenders and complied with the applicable legal procedures.

He urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that El-Rufai was attempting to use the proceedings to shield himself from an investigation and possible prosecution.

The Attorney-General of the Federation also opposed the application, stating that he was not privy to the specific facts surrounding the alleged search but maintaining that the ICPC and police acted within their statutory responsibilities.

The Attorney-General further argued that the items seized were required to enable the agencies to complete their investigation.

He also contended that the suit constituted an abuse of court process because two related cases were already pending before the FCT High Court.

The government’s legal representative maintained that the former governor had not established sufficient legal or evidential grounds for the reliefs sought and urged the court to dismiss the case.

With the parties having adopted their processes, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until December 2 for judgment.

The court’s forthcoming decision will determine the outcome of El-Rufai’s claims over the search of his residence and his request for the return of seized items and ₦1 billion in damages.