Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has taken the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking for ₦1 billion in damages over what he described as an unlawful search of his home in the Federal Capital Territory.
The suit was filed on February 20, 2026, following a search carried out at his residence in Abuja on February 19.
El-Rufai is challenging a search warrant said to have been issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate in the FCT. In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, he is asking the court to void the warrant and declare the search and seizure at his house invalid.
He listed the ICPC as the first respondent, while the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation were also joined in the suit.
According to the court papers filed by his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), the former governor argued that the warrant did not clearly state the items to be searched for and contained drafting errors and unclear instructions.
He claimed there was no proper basis for the warrant and that it breached his right to privacy and other rights protected under the Constitution.
El-Rufai told the court that officers of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force entered his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, around 2 p.m. on February 19 and carried out a search based on the disputed warrant.
He is seeking a declaration that the action violated his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
He is also asking the court to rule that any material obtained during the search should not be used in any investigation or trial involving him. In addition, he wants an order directing the ICPC and the police to return all items taken from his home and to provide a full list of what was seized.
The former governor is demanding ₦1 billion as damages for what he described as trespass, unlawful seizure, and the emotional strain and harm to his reputation caused by the operation.
He divided the claim into ₦300 million as compensation for emotional distress, ₦400 million as exemplary damages to discourage similar actions by security agencies, and ₦300 million as aggravated damages. He also asked for ₦100 million to cover legal costs.
In the legal arguments supporting the case, his counsel said the warrant failed to meet the requirements set out in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the ICPC Act, 2000.
He stated that the law requires a written application backed by oath and clear details of the place to be searched and the items sought.
He argued that the warrant in question lacked these details and was addressed in a broad manner without clear limits on who could execute it or how it should be carried out.
The lawyer also cited court decisions to support the claim that evidence obtained through an improper search should not be admitted in court.
An affidavit sworn to by Mohammed Shaba, a Principal Secretary to El-Rufai, stated that officers who carried out the operation did not properly follow procedure and took away personal documents and electronic devices.
He said none of the items had been returned and that the action caused distress to the former governor.
The court is yet to fix a date for hearing the matter.