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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Thursday granted an application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to play part of the footage of the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at its facility in former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State’s claims.
While ruling on separate motions filed by ICPC and El-Rufai, Justice Chigozie Onah declined the ex-governor’s prayers to have the over-six-hour video recording played in full in open court.
Justice Onah, who granted the duo 20 minutes each to have any part of the footage played in open court, said the court cannot be turned into a viewing centre.
The court according to the judge does not have the luxury of time to watch full footage that spans over six hours.
He also agreed with the arguments of the ICPC’s counsel, Yetunde Mosunmola, that the video contained some sensitive information that might expose the commission’s facility to a security breach if the full clip is played in open court.
He further agreed that if such video must be played in full, it has to be in the judge’s chamber.
Justice Onah refused El-Rufai’s prayer, seeking an order for the two ICPC officials, who deposed to the affidavits in the commission’s processes, to be produced in court for cross-examination.
The judge, further noted that fundamental rights enforcement procedures are sui generis, saying the relief cannot be granted on the ground that fundamental right cases are determined by affidavit evidence.
He also refused to grant other reliefs sought by the former governor in his application.
“Both parties only have 20 minutes each to play part of the footage at 1pm in open court” when most lawyers and litigants would have left the court.” the judge held.
Justice Onah thereafter, adjourned the matter until November 3, 2026 for a definite hearing of the substantive applications.
The former governor had instituted the suit against the ICPC, its Chairman, Musa Aliyu, SAN, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 3rd respondents, respectively.
In the originating motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026 and filed by Ubong Akpan on Aug. 13, El-Rufai sought N10 billion in damages for allegedly preventing him from having access to his wife, Mrs Aichatou Asabe, and son Abba El-Rufai, while in custody.
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