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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The suit challenges the legality of a search conducted at his Abuja residence and seeks declaratory and injunctive reliefs, alongside monetary damages.
Ejes Gist News reports that the case is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 and was filed through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu.
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Search Warrant Challenged
According to court documents, El-Rufai is asking the Federal High Court to declare the search warrant issued on February 4 by the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court as invalid, null and void.
He contends that the warrant, which authorised the search and seizure at his residence located at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, lacked particularity and contained drafting errors. He further argues that the document was overbroad, ambiguous in its execution parameters, and unsupported by probable cause.
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Security operatives had reportedly stormed and searched the residence on February 19 at about 2 p.m. as part of ongoing investigations.
Alleged Constitutional Violations
The former governor maintains that the execution of the warrant violated his rights under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantee dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
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In the originating motion, he is seeking a declaration that the invasion and search of his residence under what he describes as an invalid warrant amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental rights.
He also wants the court to rule that any evidence obtained pursuant to the search is inadmissible in any proceedings against him, on the grounds that it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.
₦1 Billion Damages Sought
El-Rufai is asking the court to award ₦1,000,000,000 as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages against the respondents jointly and severally.
The breakdown of the damages includes:
- ₦300 million as compensatory damages for psychological trauma, emotional distress, and loss of personal security.
- ₦400 million as exemplary damages to deter alleged future misconduct by law enforcement agencies.
- ₦300 million as aggravated damages for what he described as malicious and oppressive actions.
In addition, he is seeking ₦100 million as the cost of filing the suit, covering legal fees and associated expenses.
He also seeks an order directing the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return all items seized during the search, together with a detailed inventory, and an injunction restraining the respondents from relying on or tendering any evidence obtained during the operation.
Legal Arguments Raised
Through his counsel, El-Rufai argues that the search warrant violated Sections 143–148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, as well as Section 36 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
According to the filing:
- Section 146 of the ACJA requires that a warrant be in the prescribed form and free from defects.
- Section 147 mandates that warrants be directed to specified persons.
- Section 148 stipulates execution at reasonable times.
He alleges that the warrant contained errors in the address, date, and district designation, and was indiscriminately addressed to “all officers,” rendering it overbroad and procedurally defective.
Counsel further cited the judicial precedent of C.O.P. v. Omoh, arguing that evidence obtained through improper means contravenes fundamental rights and should be excluded.
Affidavit Evidence
In an affidavit deposed to by Mohammed Shaba, described as a Principal Secretary to the former governor, it was stated that officers of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force invaded the premises under what was described as a purported search warrant.
The deponent asserted that the warrant failed to specify the properties or items sought and that officers did not submit themselves for search before conducting the operation, as required by law.
He further alleged that personal items, including documents and electronic devices, were seized and have not been returned. According to the affidavit, the search caused humiliation, psychological trauma, and distress.
Respondents Listed
The respondents named in the suit include:
- The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
- The Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja Magisterial District.
- The Inspector-General of Police.
- The Attorney-General of the Federation.
As of the time of filing this report, no official response had been made public by the ICPC, the Nigeria Police Force, or the Office of the Attorney-General regarding the allegations contained in the suit.
