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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, the Inspector General of Police, and two other officials over what he described as an unlawful invasion and search of his Abuja residence.
The suit was filed on February 20, 2026, before the Federal High Court.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, El Rufai listed the ICPC as the first respondent, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the Federal Capital Territory as the second respondent, the Inspector General of Police as the third respondent, and the Attorney General of the Federation as the fourth respondent.
He is asking the court to declare the operation carried out at his residence unlawful and unconstitutional.
Read Also: ICPC Raids Nasir El-Rufai’s Residence After DSS Arrest
According to court documents, El Rufai alleged that on February 19, 2026, ICPC operatives, accompanied by police officers, invaded his home at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, at about 2:00 pm. He claimed the operation was conducted pursuant to a defective search warrant issued on February 4, 2026, which his legal team said was riddled with material errors and failed to meet legal requirements.
Through his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, the former governor argued that the warrant lacked specificity on items to be seized, contained typographical and factual mistakes, and was overly broad and ambiguous.
He further contended that the warrant was issued without probable cause, in violation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the ICPC Act 2000, and provisions of the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and the right to privacy.
El Rufai also alleged that during the search, officers seized personal documents and electronic devices without providing an inventory or returning the items.
He claimed the action subjected him to humiliation, psychological trauma and reputational damage. Among the reliefs sought are an order compelling the respondents to return all seized items, an injunction restraining them from using any material obtained during the search, and damages totalling ₦1 billion, alongside ₦100 million as cost of litigation.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on Thursday conducted a search of the residence of Malam Nasir Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State.
The development was disclosed by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, on Thursday.
Ubong Akpan, El-Rufai’s lawyer, condemned the action, describing it as “unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights.”
The post reads: “The residence of Malam Nasir @elrufai was today searched by the ICPC.”
Ubong Akpan, Malam El-Rufai’s lawyer, condemned the action “as unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights.”
The ICPC confirmed on Thursday that El-Rufai is now in its custody.
Read Also: DSS Arrests El-Rufai Shortly After Release From EFCC
The Eastern Updates reported that the former governor was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) shortly after being released on bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday.
According to reports, DSS operatives picked up El-Rufai following his EFCC bail, in connection with allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, shortly after being released on bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
El-Rufai, who was granted bail at around 8 p.m., was immediately picked up by DSS operatives who reportedly lay in wait at the EFCC headquarters.
His arrest is reportedly linked to allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu.
The former governor, a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had earlier honoured the EFCC’s invitation on Monday over alleged corruption linked to his administration.
He arrived at the EFCC headquarters accompanied by hundreds of his supporters.
This development comes after El-Rufai narrowly escaped arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, last Thursday.
Following the airport incident, he accused NSA Nuhu Ribadu of orchestrating the attempted arrest in a series of interviews.
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, is planning to run for the presidency in 2031.
