Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has instituted a N1 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other parties over what he described as an unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.

In a suit filed before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, the former governor is asking the court to invalidate the search warrant used by operatives to access his home, arguing that it was legally defective.

El-Rufai, who once served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, maintained that the warrant was fundamentally flawed. He described it as null and void due to lack of specificity, drafting errors, vague execution details, excessive scope, and absence of probable cause.

According to the court filings, officials of the ICPC, alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, allegedly searched his residence at No. 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, around 2 p.m. on February 19. He contended that the operation infringed on his constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, privacy, and fair hearing.

El-Rufai is further seeking a declaration that any evidence obtained during the search is inadmissible in court, insisting it was acquired unlawfully. He also asked the court to compel the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return all items seized from his home and provide a comprehensive inventory.

The suit includes claims for N300 million as compensation for psychological trauma and emotional distress, N400 million in exemplary damages to discourage future misconduct by security agencies, and N300 million as aggravated damages for what he termed a malicious and oppressive operation. Additionally, he is demanding N100 million to cover legal expenses.

His legal counsel argued that the warrant failed to clearly specify the items to be seized and contained errors relating to the address, date, and district, making the entire search illegal.

An affidavit deposed to by a senior aide further alleged that officers acted without lawful authority, confiscated personal documents and electronic devices, and subjected the former governor to undue humiliation and distress.

The court is yet to schedule a hearing date for the matter.