Former Governor El-Rufai Files N1 Billion Rights Suit Against Anti-Corruption Commission
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has initiated a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over what he describes as an unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence. The legal action, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges the validity of a search warrant issued on February 4 and executed on February 19 at his Aso Drive home.
Constitutional Violations Alleged in Court Documents
Through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oluwole Iyamu, El-Rufai has petitioned the court to declare the search warrant "null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause." The suit argues that these deficiencies render the search unlawful and in violation of Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to privacy.
In the originating motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, El-Rufai names multiple respondents including:
- The ICPC as first respondent
- The chief magistrate of the FCT magistrate's court as second respondent
- The inspector-general of police as third respondent
- The attorney-general of the federation as fourth respondent
Seven Key Reliefs Sought in Landmark Case
The former governor, who currently serves as a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has requested seven specific reliefs from the court. These include declarations that the search constituted gross violations of his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy as protected under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the Constitution.
El-Rufai further seeks:
- An order declaring any evidence obtained through the contested search inadmissible in any proceedings against him
- An injunction restraining respondents from using or tendering such evidence
- An order directing ICPC and police to return all seized items with a detailed inventory
- N1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages for psychological trauma, humiliation, distress, and reputational harm
Political Context and Broader Implications
The legal action comes amid ongoing political developments in Nigeria, with sources suggesting El-Rufai is focused on mobilizing against President Bola Tinubu's second-term agenda rather than contesting elective office in 2027. The case has attracted significant attention, with political commentator Reno Omokri recently mocking what he described as abandonment of El-Rufai by his supporters.
This lawsuit represents a significant challenge to law enforcement procedures in Nigeria, testing the boundaries of search warrant validity and constitutional protections against unreasonable searches. The outcome could establish important precedents regarding the balance between anti-corruption investigations and individual rights protections under Nigerian law.
The court's decision on whether to declare the search warrant invalid and award the requested damages will be closely watched by legal experts, civil society organizations, and political observers across Nigeria. The case highlights ongoing tensions between anti-corruption efforts and due process protections in the country's evolving legal landscape.
