The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Gov. Nasir El-Rufai against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and others.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Monday adjourned the case until 27th October for definite hearing to allow El-Rufai’s lawyer, Akinyemi Aremu, to respond to a counter-affidavit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
When the case was called, Aremu told the court that the matter was scheduled for hearing.
However, the AGF’s lawyer, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, informed the court that her client had filed a counter-affidavit opposing El-Rufai’s claims.
She asked the court for permission to regularise the filing by extending the time for it to be deemed properly filed and served.
Aremu, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and counsel for the ICPC did not oppose the application.
Justice Abdulmalik granted it and fixed the 27th of October for definite hearing.
El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in damages over the search of his Abuja residence on 19th February by ICPC operatives and police officers.
He is asking the court to declare the search a violation of his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy.
He also wants evidence recovered during the operation declared inadmissible and the seized items returned.
The ICPC has denied wrongdoing, saying it acted on a petition against the former governor and executed a valid search warrant issued by a competent court.
The commission said its officers complied with legal procedures during the search and urged the court to dismiss the suit.
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