A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking N1bn in damages over what he described as an unlawful search of his residence by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
In the fundamental rights enforcement suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, the ex-governor named the ICPC as the first respondent.
Also joined in the action are the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Through his counsel, Mr Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), El-Rufai is asking the court to invalidate a search warrant reportedly issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate in the FCT, which authorised security operatives to search his Abuja residence.
He argued that the warrant was legally defective, alleging that it failed to clearly state the items sought, contained significant drafting errors and vague execution terms, and was issued without credible probable cause.
According to him, the alleged flaws render the warrant unconstitutional and in breach of his right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The former governor further prayed the court to declare that the February 19 search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, by officials of the ICPC and the police violated his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy as enshrined in Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.
He is also seeking an order restraining the respondents from relying on any materials allegedly obtained during the operation in the course of any investigation or prosecution, contending that evidence procured through an invalid warrant is inadmissible.
Among other reliefs, El-Rufai requested a directive compelling the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately return all items said to have been taken from his home, along with a comprehensive inventory.
He is equally asking the court to award N1bn as general, exemplary and aggravated damages for alleged trespass, unlawful seizure and the emotional distress, humiliation and reputational damage he claimed to have suffered.
A breakdown of the sum indicates N300m sought as compensation for psychological trauma and loss of personal security; N400m as exemplary damages to deter what he described as misconduct by law enforcement agencies; and N300m as aggravated damages for the alleged high-handed execution of the warrant.
He also demanded N100m as litigation costs.
In a supporting affidavit deposed to by his Principal Secretary, Mohammed Shaba, it was stated that operatives of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force stormed the property around 2pm on February 19 on the strength of the disputed warrant.
The deponent claimed that the warrant did not clearly specify the items to be searched for and that the officers failed to observe due process before conducting the search.
He added that personal documents and electronic gadgets were seized and have yet to be returned.
El-Rufai based his legal challenge on provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the ICPC Act, 2000, insisting that the warrant did not meet statutory requirements on specificity and clarity.
As of the time of filing this report, a hearing date had not been scheduled in the matter.
