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| Nasir el-Rufai |
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to throw out a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
El-Rufai is challenging a February 19 search of his Abuja residence by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He claims the search warrant used by security operatives was invalid and violated constitutional protections.
In his suit, the former governor demands a court declaration that any evidence from the raid is inadmissible in proceedings against him. He also seeks N1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages for alleged rights abuses, including trespass, unlawful seizure, psychological trauma, humiliation, distress, and reputational damage.
El-Rufai named the chief magistrate who issued the warrant, the IGP, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as respondents.
But in a counter-affidavit against el-Rufai’s suit, the IGP said the police officers executed a valid search warrant issued by a magistrate court against the residence of the former governor, adding that the officers were only “complying with legal procedures”.
The IGP, according to a report of TheCable, argued that the police have the legal powers to arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenders, including enforcing search warrants issued by a competent court.
The IGP accused the former governor of attempting to use the enforcement suit as a shield against investigation and possible prosecution.
When the case was called on Wednesday, March 11, 2025, Ubong Akpan, counsel to el-Rufai, told the court that he had responded to ICPC’s counter affidavit but was yet to respond to that of the IGP.
Abdulsufiano Abubakar, ICPC’s lawyer, and Ezekiel Rimamsomte, police counsel, confirmed Akpan’s submission.
Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, adjourned the case to March 25 for hearing.
She ordered that the chief magistrate and AGF, who were not represented in court, be issued and served with hearing notices.
The ex-minister has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 19 after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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