Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and three other respondents, alleging the unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence.
The suit, lodged on February 20, 2026, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with case number FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, lists the ICPC as the first respondent. Also joined in the action are the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the second respondent, the Inspector-General of Police as the third respondent, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as the fourth respondent.
In the originating motion filed by his counsel, Mr. Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, El-Rufai alleged that the incident occurred on February 19, 2026, at about 2:00 p.m., when ICPC operatives, accompanied by police officers, reportedly entered and searched his residence located at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja.
The former governor contended that the search was conducted pursuant to a defective warrant purportedly issued on February 4, 2026, by the Chief Magistrate. His legal team argued that the warrant was invalid and null on the grounds of alleged procedural and substantive defects.
According to the suit, the alleged flaws include a lack of specificity regarding items to be seized, typographical and material errors relating to the address, date, and district details, as well as ambiguity and overbreadth in the scope of execution. The applicant further claimed that the warrant was issued without probable cause.
El-Rufai maintained that the purported defects contravene provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, particularly Sections 143–148, as well as Section 36 of the ICPC Act 2000. He also alleged violations of his fundamental rights as guaranteed under Sections 34 (right to dignity of the human person), 35 (right to personal liberty), 36 (right to fair hearing), and 37 (right to privacy) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The suit further alleged that during the operation, officers seized personal documents and electronic devices, referenced as Exhibit B in the supporting affidavit, without providing an inventory or returning the items.
Among the reliefs sought, El-Rufai is asking the court to declare the search warrant invalid and the invasion unlawful, as well as to affirm that the actions of the respondents violated his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights.
He is also seeking an order compelling the immediate return of all seized items with a comprehensive inventory, an injunction restraining the respondents from using any material obtained during the search as evidence, and monetary damages totaling ₦1 billion, comprising ₦300 million as compensatory damages, ₦400 million as exemplary damages, and ₦300 million as aggravated damages. Additionally, he is claiming ₦100 million as the cost of legal action.
The former governor stated that the alleged invasion caused him psychological trauma, humiliation, reputational damage, and emotional distress.
As of the time of filing this report, the respondents had yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
El-Rufai Files ₦1bn Fundamental Rights Suit Against ICPC, Others Over Alleged Abuja Home Invasion
