El-Rufai Slams ICPC with N1bn Suit Over ‘Unlawful’ Abuja Home Raid
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has dragged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before a Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding N1 billion in damages over what he described as an unlawful invasion and search of his residence in the Federal Capital Territory.
In the fundamental rights enforcement suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, el-Rufai is challenging the validity of a search warrant allegedly issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court and executed on February 19 at his residence located at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja.
The former governor, through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, is asking the court to declare the search warrant “null and void” on grounds of lack of particularity, drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause.
Alleged Constitutional Violations
El-Rufai contends that the search violated his fundamental rights guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the 1999 Constitution, covering dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
He is seeking:
A declaration that the search warrant was invalid and unconstitutional.
An order restraining ICPC, the Inspector-General of Police, and other respondents from using any evidence obtained during the raid.
Immediate return of all items seized, alongside a detailed inventory.
N1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages.
The breakdown of the N1 billion claim includes:
N300 million as compensatory damages for psychological trauma and emotional distress.
N400 million as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct by law enforcement agencies.
N300 million as aggravated damages for what he described as malicious and oppressive conduct.
He is also demanding N100 million as the cost of filing the suit, including legal fees.
Legal Grounds of Challenge
According to court filings, el-Rufai argues that the warrant contravenes Sections 143–148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and Section 36 of the ICPC Act, 2000.
His counsel maintained that:
The application for the warrant lacked sworn information establishing probable cause.
The warrant failed to specify items to be seized, referring vaguely to “the thing aforesaid.”
It contained material typographical errors regarding address, date, and district designation.
It was improperly addressed to “all officers,” making it overbroad and unaccountable.
The legal team cited judicial authorities including C.O.P. v. Omoh (1969) and Fawehinmi v. IGP (2000) to argue that evidence obtained through defective warrants is inadmissible.
Affidavit Details
In a supporting affidavit deposed to by Mohammed Shaba, a Principal Secretary to the former governor, it was alleged that ICPC and police operatives invaded the residence around 2 p.m. on February 19.
Shaba claimed the officers failed to submit themselves for search as required by law and seized documents and electronic devices without lawful authority, causing humiliation and psychological distress.
He further stated that none of the seized items have been returned and that the agencies continue to rely on what he termed unlawfully obtained evidence.
Parties in the Suit
The suit names ICPC as the first respondent, alongside the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
As of press time, ICPC had not publicly responded to the allegations.
The case is expected to test the limits of law enforcement powers in the execution of search warrants and the protection of constitutional rights in high-profile investigations.
