Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation and a Chief Magistrate of the FCT over what he describes as an unlawful invasion of his residence.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 and filed on February 20 through his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), El-Rufai is asking the court to nullify a search warrant allegedly issued on February 4, which authorised anti-graft operatives to search his Aso Drive home on February 19. He contends that the warrant was defective, lacked probable cause and violated his constitutional right to privacy.
The former governor argues that the search—carried out by ICPC and police officers—breached his rights to dignity, liberty, fair hearing and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution. He is seeking court orders declaring the operation unconstitutional, barring authorities from using any materials seized, and compelling the return of all items allegedly taken from his residence.
El-Rufai is also demanding ₦1 billion in damages for what he terms trespass, unlawful seizure, humiliation and reputational harm. The claim includes ₦300 million as compensatory damages, ₦400 million exemplary damages to deter future misconduct, and ₦300 million aggravated damages, in addition to ₦100 million as litigation costs.
The legal action follows the February 19 search of his Abuja residence by anti-graft operatives amid ongoing investigations into his tenure as Kaduna governor, a probe that has already seen multiple arrests and interrogations by federal agencies.
No official response from the ICPC or other respondents had been reported as of press time.
Abuja Network News
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