Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has instituted a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, challenging what he described as the unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, was filed on February 20 at the Federal High Court in Abuja through his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN). El-Rufai is contesting the legality of a search warrant issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court.
He is asking the court to nullify the warrant, arguing that it was defective and unconstitutional. According to the application, the former governor maintains that the warrant lacked specific details, contained drafting errors, and failed to establish probable cause, thereby violating his constitutional right to privacy under Section 37 of the Constitution.
Named as respondents in the suit are the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
El-Rufai is seeking several declarations from the court, including a pronouncement that the search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 violated his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.
He also wants the court to rule that any evidence obtained during the search should be deemed inadmissible in any future proceedings, on the grounds that it was allegedly acquired through an unconstitutional process.
Among other reliefs, he is requesting an order compelling the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return all items seized from his home, along with a detailed inventory.
The former governor is demanding ₦1 billion in damages, broken down into ₦300 million for psychological distress and emotional trauma, ₦400 million as exemplary damages to discourage similar actions by law enforcement agencies, and ₦300 million as aggravated damages for what he described as oppressive conduct. He is also claiming ₦100 million to cover legal costs.
In his legal arguments, Iyamu contended that the warrant failed to comply with relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the ICPC Act, 2000. He argued that the document did not clearly specify the items sought, was addressed too broadly, and contained inconsistencies regarding its execution.
The lawyer cited judicial authorities to support the position that evidence obtained through an invalid warrant should not be admissible in court.
In a supporting affidavit, Mohammed Shaba, identified as a Principal Secretary to El-Rufai, stated that officers of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force carried out the search using what he described as a flawed warrant. He alleged that personal documents and electronic devices were seized during the operation and have not been returned.
Shaba further claimed that the search caused humiliation and emotional distress, adding that the suit was filed to protect and enforce the former governor’s constitutional rights.
