ABUJA — In a high-stakes legal showdown, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has dragged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and several top federal entities before a Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding a staggering ₦1.1 billion in damages.
The legal firestorm follows a February 19 operation at his Abuja home, which El-Rufai describes as an “unlawful invasion” and a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
The Legal Breakdown
In the suit filed by his lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, the former governor is seeking several reliefs from the court:
- Fundamental Rights: A declaration that the forceful entry into his home violated his right to privacy and personal liberty as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
- Invalid Warrant:Â The suit contends that the search warrant used for the operation was obtained through “suppression of facts” and lacked the necessary legal specifics to justify the intrusion.
- Financial Redress: El-Rufai is asking for ₦1 billion in general damages and an additional ₦100 million to cover his legal expenses.
Who is Involved?
Beyond the ICPC, the suit also names the Chief Magistrate of the FCT, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.
Legal observers suggest this case could set a significant precedent regarding the limits of anti-graft agencies’ powers when executing search warrants on high-profile citizens. The court has yet to fix a date for the hearing of the application.
