Court Schedules Hearing for El-Rufai's ₦1 Billion Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set June 17 for the hearing of a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The suit arises from an alleged unlawful raid on El-Rufai's residence on February 4, which he claims was executed under an invalid search warrant issued by a Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate's Court.

El-Rufai argues that the warrant was legally defective and violated his constitutional rights, including dignity, liberty, fair hearing, and privacy. He is seeking a declaration that the evidence obtained during the search is inadmissible in future proceedings and has requested the return of items seized during the raid, which reportedly included electronic devices.

The case was adjourned by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who granted an application to remove the Chief Magistrate from the case, while the ICPC's counsel opposed this removal.