A former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Inspector General of Police, and two other officials over what he described as an unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence.
The suit was filed on February 20, 2026, before the Federal High Court.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, El Rufai listed the ICPC as the first respondent, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the Federal Capital Territory as the second respondent, the Inspector General of Police as the third respondent, and the Attorney General of the Federation as the fourth respondent.
He is asking the court to declare the operation carried out at his residence unlawful and unconstitutional.
According to court documents, El Rufai alleged that on February 19, 2026, ICPC operatives, accompanied by police officers, invaded his home at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, at about 2:00 pm. He claimed the operation was conducted pursuant to a defective search warrant issued on February 4, 2026, which his legal team said was riddled with material errors and failed to meet legal requirements.
Through his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, the former governor argued that the warrant lacked specificity on items to be seized, contained typographical and factual mistakes, and was overly broad and ambiguous.
He further contended that the warrant was issued without probable cause, in violation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the ICPC Act 2000, and provisions of the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and the right to privacy.
El Rufai also alleged that during the search, officers seized personal documents and electronic devices without providing an inventory or returning the items.
He claimed the action subjected him to humiliation, psychological trauma and reputational damage. Among the reliefs sought are an order compelling the respondents to return all seized items, an injunction restraining them from using any material obtained during the search, and damages totalling ₦1 billion, alongside ₦100 million as cost of litigation.
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