El-Rufai Drags ICPC to Court Over Abuja Search, Demands ₦1bn Compensation

Story: Written by springnewsng February 23,2026
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has instituted a ₦1 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing the agency of illegally raiding his residence in Abuja.
The suit, filed before a court in the Federal Capital Territory, challenges a search warrant reportedly issued on February 4 by a Chief Magistrate, which authorised ICPC operatives to search his home and seize items. Through his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), El-Rufai is asking the court to void the warrant, describing it as defective and unlawful.
According to court documents, the former governor argued that the warrant was vague, excessively broad, and riddled with drafting errors, adding that it failed to establish probable cause. He maintained that the operation breached his constitutional right to privacy guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Beyond seeking damages, El-Rufai is urging the court to rule that any materials recovered during the search be declared inadmissible, insisting they were obtained in violation of constitutional safeguards. He is also requesting an order restraining the ICPC and its agents from using or relying on the seized items in any investigation or prosecution involving him.
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC had yet to issue an official reaction to the lawsuit.