The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgement in 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) and two other government officials.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date on Tuesday after lawyers representing the parties adopted their final written addresses.

Other defendants in the suit are the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

At the proceedings, El-Rufai’s counsel was initially absent, prompting the court to deem the former governor’s filed processes as adopted.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s submissions and urged the court to dismiss the suit. Lawyers representing the IGP and the AGF also adopted their respective processes and asked the court to reject El-Rufai’s claims.

Although the former governor’s lawyer arrived later and apologised for his lateness, the judge informed him that the processes had already been deemed adopted before adjourning the matter for judgement.

El-Rufai instituted the suit over a search conducted at his Abuja residence on February 19, 2026, by operatives of the ICPC and police officers.

He is seeking N1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages, alleging that the operation violated his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy.

The former governor is also asking the court to declare any evidence obtained during the search inadmissible, restrain the defendants from using the seized items and order the immediate return of all property taken from his residence.

However, the ICPC argued that the search followed a petition against El-Rufai and was conducted under a valid warrant issued by a competent court.

The commission also maintained that the warrant was executed in the presence of El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza, and his son, Mohammed.

The police similarly insisted that the operation complied with due process and was carried out pursuant to a valid search warrant.

In its response, the Attorney-General of the Federation argued that the ICPC and police acted within their statutory powers, describing the suit as lacking merit.

The AGF further contended that the case amounted to an abuse of court process because related matters were already pending before the FCT High Court.

The court is expected to deliver its judgement on December 2.