El-Rufai sues ICPC, others for N1bn over alleged illegal home search
Former Kaduna Governor Sues ICPC for N1 Billion Over Home Search
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has initiated a N1 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and associated parties, claiming unlawful entry into his residence in Abuja.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks a judicial declaration that the search warrant used to access El-Rufai’s home is invalid. He argues that the warrant is “null and void” due to a lack of specificity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, and insufficient probable cause.
According to El-Rufai, officers from the ICPC and the Nigeria Police conducted a search of his residence at 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, on February 19 around 2 p.m. He asserts that the operation infringed upon his constitutional rights, including dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
The former governor is requesting a court ruling that would prohibit the use of any evidence obtained during the search in investigations or trials, citing its unlawful acquisition. Additionally, he seeks an order compelling the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return all items removed from his home, along with a detailed inventory of those items.
El-Rufai’s claims for damages include N300 million for psychological trauma, emotional distress, and loss of personal security, N400 million as exemplary damages to deter future misconduct by law enforcement, and N300 million for what he describes as the “malicious, high-handed, and oppressive nature of the operation.” He is also requesting N100 million to cover legal costs.
His legal counsel contends that the search warrant failed to specify what items were to be seized and contained inaccuracies regarding the address, date, and district details. The defense argues that this renders the search illegal.
In an affidavit, a senior aide to El-Rufai claims that officers searched the property without lawful authority, seized personal documents and electronic devices, and caused significant emotional distress.
The court has not yet scheduled a hearing date for the case.
