“Stop the Harassment”: El-Rufai Slams ICPC with ₦1 Billion Suit Over ‘Illegal’ Abuja Home Raid
ABUJA — The legal war between former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies has escalated to a billion-naira showdown.
On Friday, February 20, 2026, El-Rufai filed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging what he described as a “grossly unlawful and unconstitutional” invasion of his residence. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, names the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as respondents.
The move comes just days after security operatives conducted a search and seizure operation at his home on Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, while the former governor was in custody.
With his arraignment scheduled for this Wednesday, the ₦1 billion lawsuit puts the ICPC and the Police on the defensive. If the court declares the search warrant invalid, it could potentially collapse the government’s evidence in the ongoing corruption and cybercrime probes against the former governor.
The ₦1 Billion Breakdown
El-Rufai is not just seeking a retraction; he is demanding massive financial penalties for what his legal team calls “psychological trauma and reputational harm.” The Claim: The suit alleges that the ICPC and Police agents used an “invalid warrant” issued by a Chief Magistrate’s court to execute the raid. The Damages: El-Rufai is asking for ₦300 million for the violation of his privacy and ₦700 million in exemplary and aggravated damages for the “humiliation and distress” caused by the search. The Injunction: He is also praying the court for a permanent injunction to stop the government from using any evidence or items seized during the raid in any future prosecution.
The “Phone-Tapping” Backdrop
The raid and subsequent lawsuit are part of a larger web of legal trouble for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain. El-Rufai is currently facing a three-count cybercrime charge filed by the DSS, stemming from his admission on Arise TV that he had listened to intercepted phone calls of the National Security Advisor (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. The Arraignment: The Federal High Court has fixed Wednesday, February 25, 2026, for his formal arraignment on those charges. The Defense: El-Rufai’s ₦1 billion suit argues that the raid was a “fishing expedition” triggered by political vendetta rather than legitimate criminal investigation.
“Management of a Siege”
His lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), stated that the raid on February 19 was executed while the former governor was already honoring an invitation at the ICPC headquarters. “You cannot hold a man in one room and raid his house in another without a valid warrant,” Iyamu told reporters. “This is not an investigation; it is a siege on democracy and the rule of law.”
What’s Next?
With his arraignment scheduled for this Wednesday, the ₦1 billion lawsuit puts the ICPC and the Police on the defensive. If the court declares the search warrant invalid, it could potentially collapse the government’s evidence in the ongoing corruption and cybercrime probes against the former governor.