AGF Urges Court to Throw Out El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Rights Suit

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai is challenging the legality of a search conducted at his Abuja residence by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on February 19, 2026.

He argues that the warrant authorizing the search was defective and violated his constitutional rights to privacy, dignity, liberty, and fair hearing.

Represented by Mrs. Maimuna Lami-Shiru of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the AGF told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the suit lacked merit and failed to disclose any reasonable cause of action.

The ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police are listed as respondents.El-Rufai is seeking damages totaling ₦1 billion, including compensation for alleged psychological trauma and exemplary damages to deter future misconduct.

He also wants the court to declare evidence obtained during the search inadmissible and order the return of seized items, which include electronic devices and personal gadgets.

Both the ICPC and police have filed counter-affidavits defending the search, insisting it was conducted under a valid warrant issued by a competent court and carried out lawfully in the presence of El-Rufai’s family.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until October 27, 2026, to allow El-Rufai’s legal team to respond to the AGF’s submissions.

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