Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has instituted a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other top officials, alleging an unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence. The suit was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja on February 20, 2026.
In the originating motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, El-Rufai, through senior counsel Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, is seeking a declaration that a search warrant issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court authorising the February 19 search of his home at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, is invalid, null and void.
The suit, which names the ICPC as the 1st respondent, also lists the Chief Magistrate, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as co-respondents. El-Rufai contends that the warrant was defective, overbroad, lacked particularity and probable cause, and was riddled with drafting errors that rendered it unconstitutional under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to court filings, operatives of the ICPC and officers of the Nigeria Police Force executed the warrant on the former governor’s residence on February 19 at about 2 p.m., seizing documents, electronic devices and other personal effects. El-Rufai argues that the operation violated his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.
The suit seeks seven reliefs, including:
A declaration that the warrant and ensuing search were unlawful and unconstitutional.
A ruling that any evidence seized under the warrant is inadmissible in any investigation or proceeding involving him.
An injunction restraining the respondents from using or tendering any material seized.
An order compelling the return of all confiscated items with a detailed inventory.
El-Rufai is also claiming ₦1 billion in damages for what he described as trespass, unlawful seizure, psychological trauma, humiliation and reputational harm. The breakdown includes:
₦300 million as compensatory damages,
₦400 million as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct by law enforcement agencies,
₦300 million as aggravated damages,
and ₦100 million to cover legal costs and expenses.
In submissions before the court, El-Rufai’s lawyers argued that the issuance and execution of the warrant flouted key provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the ICPC Act 2000, including requirements for specificity in the description of place and items to be searched, and for information in support of an application to be on oath.
An affidavit in support of the suit, deposed to by Mohammed Shaba, a principal secretary to El-Rufai, alleged that officers failed to observe statutory procedures—such as submitting themselves for search before entering the property—and that none of the seized items has been returned.
No official response had been issued by the ICPC, the magistrate’s court, the Nigeria Police Force or the Attorney-General’s office, and the court had yet to fix a hearing date.
