Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has instituted a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and three other respondents over what he describes as the unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.
The suit, filed on February 20, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja (case number FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026), lists the Chief Magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory Magistrate’s Court, the Inspector General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as co-respondents.
According to court filings submitted by his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, ICPC operatives accompanied by police officers allegedly entered El-Rufai’s residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, around 2:00 p.m. on February 19, 2026.
Dispute Over Search Warrant
El-Rufai’s legal team argues that the operation was conducted under a defective search warrant issued on February 4, 2026, by a Chief Magistrate.
The filing claims the warrant lacked specificity and contained typographical and material errors relating to address, date, and district details.
The suit further contends that the warrant was overly broad and executed without probable cause, rendering it invalid.
According to the filing, the alleged defects violate provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the ICPC Act 2000, and Sections 34, 35, 36, and 37 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy rights.
Alleged Seizure of Personal Items
The former governor also claims officers seized documents and electronic devices without providing an inventory or returning the items.
The suit states that the seized materials have not been released and that no official record of the items taken was provided.
El-Rufai is asking the court to declare the search warrant invalid and the operation unlawful, as well as rule that his fundamental rights were violated.
He is also seeking:
Immediate return of all seized items with a detailed inventory
An injunction preventing authorities from using any evidence obtained during the search
₦1 billion in damages, including:
₦300 million compensatory damages
₦400 million exemplary damages
₦300 million aggravated damages
₦100 million for legal costs
The filing states that the incident caused him psychological trauma, humiliation, reputational damage, and emotional distress.
The ICPC and other respondents have yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit.
