The Digest:
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai has filed a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and others over alleged unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence. Through his lawyer Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), el-Rufai seeks seven reliefs including a declaration that the search warrant issued February 4 by a Chief Magistrate was "invalid, null and void" due to lack of particularity, material errors, overbreadth, and absence of probable cause. He claims the February 19 invasion by ICPC and police agents violated his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy. El-Rufai demands return of all seized items, N1 billion in damages (N300m psychological trauma, N400m exemplary, N300m aggravated), and N100m legal costs. He argues evidence obtained under invalid warrant is inadmissible, citing judicial precedents.
Key Points:
- The N1bn suit escalates legal battle between el-Rufai and anti-graft agencies.
- It challenges the legality of search warrants and evidence admissibility.
- El-Rufai seeks vindication, while ICPC faces scrutiny over warrant validity.
- This signals the former governor's aggressive legal defence strategy.
- The timing, while in custody, intensifies pressure on multiple fronts.
El-Rufai sues ICPC for N1bn over alleged unlawful residence invasion, demanding return of seized items and damages for rights violations.
Sources: Vanguard, NAN, Federal High Court
