The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned for the third time the fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and other respondents. El-Rufai is seeking N1 billion in damages for the alleged search of his residence and detention on February 19.

The court, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, was initially scheduled to hear the matter on March 3 and 11, but it was adjourned due to various reasons. On Wednesday, El-Rufai's lawyers requested a date to regularise the process of serving the second respondent, a chief magistrate, with a hearing notice.

Lawyers for the other respondents, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation, had filed counter-affidavits in response to El-Rufai's suit. The judge ordered that a hearing notice be served on the magistrate and adjourned the matter until March 31 for the hearing of El-Rufai's substituted service application.

El-Rufai's suit, which was filed through his lawyers, seeks to declare that the search warrant issued by the chief magistrate on February 4 was invalid and null and void. He also prayed the court to restrain the respondents from using the seized evidence.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

The prolonged adjournment of El-Rufai's fundamental rights suit raises questions about the efficiency of the judicial system in Nigeria. The case, which has been adjourned for the third time, is a testament to the delays and inefficiencies that often plague the Nigerian courts. The delay in resolving this matter has significant implications for El-Rufai, who remains in detention pending his bail application. The fact that the court has ordered the service of a hearing notice on the second respondent, a chief magistrate, suggests that there may be issues with the validity of the search warrant issued in February. This development highlights the need for the Nigerian government to address the systemic issues that lead to such delays and inefficiencies in the justice system.