A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, October 22, 2026, granted an application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to play relevant portions of CCTV footage recorded at its headquarters in the ongoing ₦10 billion legal battle involving former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Presiding Judge, Justice Chigozie Onah, delivered the ruling on separate motions brought before the court by the anti-graft agency and the legal team representing the former governor.
In his decision, Justice Onah declined El-Rufai's prayers requesting the court to order a full, uninterrupted screening of the entire six-hour surveillance video recording in open court.
The legal tussle stems from a ₦10 billion suit filed by El-Rufai against the ICPC, where the former governor alleges rights violations and unprocedural treatment during his interactions with the anti-corruption body.
During proceedings, the ICPC sought the court's leave to play specific, relevant segments of the CCTV footage to demonstrate the sequence of events and refute claims of mistreatment or illegal detention at its facility.
El-Rufai’s legal counsel, however, opposed the selective playing of the footage, arguing that playing the continuous six-hour unedited video was necessary to provide complete context and ensure transparency.
Ruling on the competing applications, Justice Onah held that displaying six hours of continuous surveillance video in open court would unduly consume judicial time and defeat the objective of efficient case management.
The court ruled that the ICPC is permitted to play the specific portions of the video relevant to its defense and the key issues under determination, provided the complete, unedited recording is properly admitted into evidence as an exhibit for judicial examination if necessary.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter for the continuation of trial and the formally approved screening of the designated CCTV segments.