A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, adjourned a N1 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 (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to October 27, 2026, for definite hearing.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case to enable el-Rufai’s counsel, Akinyemi Aremu, respond to a counter-affidavit filed by the AGF opposing the former governor’s claims.

When the matter was called, Aremu told the court that it was scheduled for a hearing.

Counsel for the AGF, Maimuna Lami-Shiru, however, informed the court that her client had filed a counter-affidavit and sought leave to regularise it by extending the time within which it could be deemed properly filed and served.

Aremu, counsel to the IGP, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and counsel to the ICPC did not oppose the application.

Justice Abdulmalik granted the application and subsequently adjourned the suit till October 27, 2026 for definite hearing.

The former Kaduna governor, who had initially joined the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrates’ Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a respondent but later withdrew the name after the court observed that he could not identify the magistrate he had sued, further wants an injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from relying on, using or tendering any items or evidence seized during the search in any investigation, prosecution or other proceedings involving him.

He is also seeking an order directing the ICPC and IGP to return all items allegedly seized from his residence and provide a detailed inventory of the items.

In addition, he is claiming N1 billion as general, exemplary and aggravated damages, but the respondents have opposed the claims.

In its counter-affidavit, the ICPC said it received a petition against el-Rufai and commenced an investigation that led to the search of his residence.