El‑Rufai’s ₦1bn Rights Enforcement Suit Against ICPC Stalled at Abuja Federal High Court
Proceedings in the fundamental rights enforcement action filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, were stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, owing to the absence of counsel for the respondents.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, seeks ₦1 billion in damages for what El‑Rufai describes as an unlawful search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja. When the matter was called, only counsel for the applicant, Ubong Akpan, was present. He informed the court that the respondents had not yet been served with processes and requested an adjournment. Justice Abdulmalik adjourned to March 11, 2026, for further mention.
El‑Rufai has sued the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court, the Inspector‑General of Police, and the Attorney‑General of the Federation as 1st to 4th respondents. In his originating motion filed on February 20, 2026, through lead counsel Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, he challenges the validity of a search warrant issued on February 4, authorising the search and seizure of his residence.
He contends that the warrant was defective, lacking specificity, containing drafting errors, and being overbroad and unsupported by probable cause, thereby amounting to an unlawful search contrary to Section 37 of the Constitution. He further argues that the invasion on February 19 violated his rights to dignity, liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under Sections 34–37 of the 1999 Constitution.
El‑Rufai seeks declarations that any evidence obtained under the allegedly invalid warrant is inadmissible, an order restraining reliance on such evidence, and a directive for the immediate return of all seized items with a detailed inventory. He also claims ₦1 billion in damages, broken down into ₦300 million compensatory, ₦400 million exemplary, ₦300 million aggravated, and ₦100 million for costs.
His counsel argues that the warrant contravened Sections 143–148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and Section 36 of the ICPC Act, 2000, which require specificity and probable cause. The matter is expected to resume on March 11, 2026.
