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ICPC Case Hits Snag: El-Rufai’s ₦1 Billion Suit Delayed Over Service Glitch.

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The rights enforcement suit filed by former Nasir El-Rufai against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and four other respondents hit a setback on Tuesday after his legal team failed to serve the parties.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in damages from the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, named as the first to fourth respondents.

The case, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, could not proceed because only Ubong Akpan, representing El-Rufai, was present, while none of the respondents appeared.

Akpan informed the court that the respondents had not yet been served, requesting an adjournment to allow proper service. Justice Abdulmalik consequently scheduled March 11 for further mention.

Through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), El-Rufai is challenging the validity of the search warrant issued on February 4 by the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court. The warrant authorised a search and seizure at his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja.

El-Rufai contends that the warrant was “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause,” arguing that it amounted to an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution.

Filed on February 20 under originating motion FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, the suit seeks seven reliefs, including a declaration that the February 19 search by ICPC and police operatives constituted a gross violation of his fundamental rights.

He maintains the operation breached his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37. He also asks the court to rule any evidence obtained during the search inadmissible, restrain the respondents from using seized items in investigations or prosecutions, and order the return of all seized property along with a detailed inventory.

El-Rufai is claiming ₦1 billion in damages, broken down as ₦300 million for psychological trauma and emotional distress, ₦400 million as exemplary damages to deter misconduct, and ₦300 million as aggravated damages for what he describes as “malicious, high-handed, and oppressive” actions. He additionally seeks ₦100 million to cover legal fees and other costs.

In his argument, Iyamu contended that the warrant violated Sections 143–148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Section 36 of the ICPC Act, 2000, and constitutional protections against arbitrary intrusion. He argued the warrant lacked specificity, contained errors, and failed to establish verifiable probable cause, rendering the search unlawful.

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Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.

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An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.

Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.

According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.

He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.

“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.

The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.

Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.

He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.

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‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.

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Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.

The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.

Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.

He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.

Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.

Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.

In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.

The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.

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El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 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 other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.

However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.

During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.

When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.

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