Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai has filed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over what he alleges was an unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.
Through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu, El-Rufai asked the Federal High Court to declare that a search warrant issued on February 4 by the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court was invalid, null, and void. The warrant had authorized a search and seizure at his residence.
The suit contends that the warrant was flawed due to “lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause,” amounting to an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution.
Filed under the originating motion FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 on February 20, the suit names as respondents:
- ICPC
- The Chief Magistrate, Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja Magisterial District
- The Inspector-General of Police (I-G)
- The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF)
El-Rufai sought seven reliefs, including:
- A declaration that the search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 around 2pm by ICPC and the I-G was a gross violation of his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34–37 of the Constitution.
- A declaration that any evidence obtained from the search is inadmissible in any proceedings against him.
- An injunction restraining the respondents from using or relying on any evidence or items seized during the unlawful search.
- An order directing ICPC and the I-G to return all items seized, along with a detailed inventory.
- Payment of N1 billion in damages, broken down as:
- N300 million for psychological trauma, emotional distress, and loss of personal security
- N400 million as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct by law enforcement agencies
- N300 million as aggravated damages for the oppressive and malicious nature of the respondents’ actions
- N100 million to cover legal fees and suit-related expenses.
The suit follows heightened scrutiny of El-Rufai by law enforcement, including the ICPC raid of his residence, and comes amid other ongoing legal matters involving the former governor.
