Case wey former Nasir El-Rufai file against Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) worth N1 billion don delay for court after defendants never receive the legal documents.
When the matter come up on Tuesday for the Federal High Court for Abuja, lawyer to the former Kaduna State governor, Ubong Akpan, tell the court say the respondents never receive the originating processes.
The presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, hear say even though the case bin schedule for mention, service of court papers never reach the defendants.
Akpan beg the court make dem give more time so him legal team go fit serve the necessary documents to the respondents.
ICPC Investigation
The matter start after Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission raid El-Rufai house for Abuja on February 19, as part of investigation into alleged financial misconduct during the time wey he serve as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023.
After the raid, El-Rufai file lawsuit say the operation na illegal invasion of his residence.
For the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, El-Rufai list ICPC as first respondent. Others wey join the case include:
Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court
Kayode Egbetokun
Lateef Fagbemi
Why El-Rufai Dey Challenge the Search Warrant
The former governor ask the court make dem cancel the search warrant issued on February 4 by the FCT Magistrate Court.
According to am, the warrant get serious problems including:
Lack of clear details
Drafting mistakes
Ambiguity on how to execute the search
Too broad authority
No probable cause
He argue say the warrant violate Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution, wey protect citizens’ right to privacy.
What El-Rufai Want From Court
Through his lawyer Oluwole Iyamu, El-Rufai ask the court for seven different reliefs.
He say the search wey happen around 2pm on February 19 by ICPC and police officers violate his fundamental rights including:
Right to dignity
Personal liberty
Fair hearing
Privacy
He also tell the court say any evidence wey security agents collect from the search no suppose stand as evidence because e break constitutional rules.
The former governor also want:
Order stopping authorities from using seized items against him
Order directing ICPC and police to return all items wey dem collect from his house
Full inventory of everything wey dem seize
N1 Billion Damages
El-Rufai dey demand N1 billion damages from the respondents.
Breakdown of the money include:
N300 million for psychological trauma and emotional stress
N400 million as exemplary damages to warn law enforcement agencies
N300 million as aggravated damages for what he describe as malicious and oppressive conduct
The court later adjourn the case to allow the legal team properly serve all the respondents before the hearing continue.
