NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a N1 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other parties, alleging that the search of his Abuja residence was unlawful.
The suit, lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks a declaration that the search warrant used to enter his home was invalid.
El-Rufai described the warrant as “null and void,” citing what he termed lack of specificity, drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause.
According to court filings seen by NewsOnline, officers of the ICPC, alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, searched his residence at No. 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2 p.m.
The former governor contends that the operation violated his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
He is asking the court to declare that any evidence obtained during the search is inadmissible in any investigation or trial, on the grounds that it was unlawfully acquired.
El-Rufai is also seeking an order directing the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately return all items seized from his home, along with a comprehensive inventory.
The N1 billion claim includes:
N300 million for alleged psychological trauma, emotional distress, and loss of personal security
N400 million as exemplary damages to deter what he described as future misconduct by law enforcement agencies
N300 million as aggravated damages for what he termed the “malicious, high-handed and oppressive” nature of the search
Additionally, he is requesting N100 million to cover legal expenses.
Legal Arguments
His lawyer argued that the search warrant failed to clearly specify items to be seized and contained errors relating to the address, date, and district details. He maintained that the warrant did not meet legal requirements, rendering the search invalid.
The legal team further contended that evidence obtained without a valid warrant is unlawful and cannot be admitted in court.
An affidavit filed by a senior aide to El-Rufai alleged that officers acted without lawful authority, confiscated personal documents and electronic devices, and caused humiliation and distress during the operation.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal High Court has not fixed a date for hearing the case.
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