Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has filed a lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging what he claims was an unlawful search of his residence.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, seeks to invalidate a search warrant issued on February 4 by an FCT magistrate court that authorized the raid on his home. El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, linked to ongoing corruption investigations, but his legal team contends that the search carried out the following day at around 2pm was a clear violation of his fundamental rights.
His lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, described the warrant as “null and void,” pointing to alleged drafting errors, vague language, and a lack of probable cause. Iyamu further argued that the warrant failed to specifically identify the items to be seized and was improperly broad in its directives.
Named as respondents in the suit are the chief magistrate who signed the warrant, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation. El-Rufai is asking the court to declare that the search breached his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy — and that any evidence gathered during the raid should be deemed inadmissible in any future proceedings.
The former governor is also demanding the return of all seized items along with a detailed inventory. On the financial side, he is seeking N1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages for alleged trespass, unlawful seizure, psychological trauma, and reputational damage, as well as N100 million to cover legal costs.
An affidavit filed by Mohammed Shaba, identified as el-Rufai’s principal secretary, states that personal documents and electronic devices were taken during the operation and have yet to be returned.
The case is expected to set an important precedent on the legality of such searches and the admissibility of evidence obtained through disputed warrants.
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