By Our Reporter
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents over the alleged unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 and filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, El-Rufai is challenging the validity of a search warrant issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate of the FCT. He argues that the warrant was defective and lacked specificity, thereby violating his constitutional rights.
The former governor named the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as co-respondents in the suit.
Through his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, El-Rufai is asking the court to declare the search warrant null and void on grounds that it was vague, contained material errors, and was issued without probable cause. He contends that the execution of the warrant at his residence on February 19 amounted to a violation of his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the 1999 Constitution.
He is also seeking an order declaring any evidence obtained during the search inadmissible in court, as well as an injunction restraining the respondents from using any items seized.
El-Rufai further requested the immediate return of all items taken from his residence and is demanding N1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages for alleged trespass, unlawful seizure, psychological trauma, and reputational harm. He also seeks N100 million as the cost of filing the suit.
In his legal arguments, Iyamu cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the ICPC Act 2000, asserting that the warrant failed to meet statutory requirements, including proper description of items to be seized and sworn evidence establishing reasonable suspicion.
An affidavit filed in support of the suit by Mohammed Shaba, a Principal Secretary to El-Rufai, alleged that officers of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force invaded the residence without lawful authority and seized documents and electronic devices.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja.