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El-Rufai Slams ICPC With ₦1bn Lawsuit Over Alleged ‘Unlawful Invasion’ Of Abuja Residence. Nigeria’s political space is heating up once again as former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, drags the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to court over what he describes as an unlawful invasion of his Abuja home.And the price tag? A staggering ₦1 billion.
The Legal Firestorm:
According to reports, El-Rufai has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit, accusing the anti-corruption agency and others of violating his constitutional rights. The former governor is asking the court to: Declare the alleged invasion illegal, Hold the defendants accountable for rights Violations award ₦1 billion in damages. The suit reportedly stems from an incident in which officials allegedly stormed his residence in Abuja without proper legal backing.
The Bigger Legal Question
Under Nigerian law, particularly Section 34, 35, 37 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), citizens are protected against unlawful searches, invasion of privacy, and abuse of personal liberty.A fundamental rights enforcement action is typically filed when a citizen believes state actors have crossed the constitutional line.Now, the court will have to determine:Was due process followed?Was there a valid warrant?Were constitutional safeguards breached?
Political & Public Reactions. Given El-Rufai’s high-profile status and his outspoken political posture, this lawsuit is likely to generate intense debate across party lines and among civil society observers.Supporters argue that no citizen’s home should be invaded unlawfully — regardless of political differences.Critics, however, insist that anti-corruption agencies must be allowed to carry out lawful investigations without intimidation.
What Happens Next? All eyes are now on the judiciary as proceedings unfold. Will the court award the ₦1bn in damages? Or will the ICPC justify its actions as lawful and procedural? One thing is clear — this is no longer just a political headline. It’s now a constitutional battle. More updates to follow as the case develops.
