Proceedings in a fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai were adjourned on Wednesday after the court identified procedural shortcomings.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik noted that one of the respondents—a magistrate named in the suit—had not been properly served.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ugochukwu Nnakwu, acknowledged the issue and informed the court that an application for substituted service had been filed.
However, the judge pointed out that the application failed to clearly identify the magistrate in question, describing the omission as a significant flaw requiring correction.
A request by ICPC counsel, Isaac Akwo, to briefly stand down the matter was refused, with the court citing scheduling constraints.
Other parties, including representatives of the police and the Attorney General’s office, did not oppose an adjournment.
The case was subsequently fixed for 31 March, with directions that proper service be effected on the outstanding respondent.
El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in damages against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney General of the Federation, and a magistrate.
He alleges that a search conducted at his Abuja residence in February violated his constitutional rights and was carried out on the basis of an invalid warrant.
The ICPC, however, insists the search was lawful and based on credible intelligence, while the police argue that the operation complied fully with legal requirements.
Both agencies have urged the court to dismiss the suit, describing it as an attempt to obstruct an ongoing investigation.
