Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai Takes ICPC to Court Over Alleged Unlawful Raid
Abuja, Nigeria — June 6, 2024
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 17, 2024, for the hearing of a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The case stems from an alleged unlawful raid on El-Rufai’s Abuja residence earlier this year, which the ex-governor claims violated his constitutional rights.
El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna’s governor from 2015 to 2023 and as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has accused the ICPC of acting on an invalid search warrant during the February 19 raid. In his lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, he challenges the legality of the warrant and seeks to have it declared null and void.
The former governor has also named the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants in the case. He argues that the ICPC-led raid on his home at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, grossly violated his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
During Tuesday’s court proceedings, El-Rufai’s legal team, led by lawyer Ugochukwu Nnakwu, applied to remove the Chief Magistrate from the lawsuit. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the request, striking out the magistrate’s name from the case. The ICPC’s lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, opposed the amendment of the suit, arguing that removing the magistrate weakened the case. However, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the objection, allowing El-Rufai to proceed with his claims.
The ICPC had obtained court permission on March 12 to examine and analyze 14 electronic devices allegedly recovered during the February 19 raid. The seized items reportedly include mobile phones, laptops, storage devices, and memory cards. El-Rufai, however, insists that the search was unconstitutional and has asked the court to rule any evidence obtained during the raid inadmissible in future proceedings.
In addition to seeking the return of all seized items and a detailed inventory, El-Rufai has demanded N1 billion in damages for alleged psychological trauma, humiliation, distress, and reputational harm caused by the raid. He has also requested N300 million in compensatory damages, N400 million in exemplary damages, and N300 million in aggravated damages, citing the “malicious and oppressive” nature of the ICPC’s actions.
The case has drawn significant attention, given El-Rufai’s prominence in Nigerian politics and the broader implications for law enforcement accountability. It also comes amid ongoing investigations into allegations that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu during his tenure as FCT minister.
As the June 17 hearing approaches, Nigerians await the court’s decision on this high-profile case, which could set a precedent for the protection of citizens’ rights against overreach by anti-corruption agencies.
— Reported by Nexio News
