The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over the search of his Abuja residence.
El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in compensation against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the IGP, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The former governor is challenging a recent search conducted by law enforcement agents at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja, during which some items were allegedly recovered.
In a counter-affidavit filed before the court, the IGP defended the operation, arguing that the search was lawful and carried out based on a warrant issued by a competent court.
The police chief also accused El-Rufai of attempting to use the lawsuit to shield himself from investigation and possible prosecution.
According to the IGP, the Nigeria Police Force has the statutory authority to detect, arrest, investigate, and prosecute criminal offences, adding that officers involved in the operation complied with all legal procedures in executing the search warrant.
He also rejected the former governor’s claim that the warrant used for the search was invalid, insisting it was properly issued and lawfully executed.
At Thursday’s proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that he had not yet responded to the counter-affidavit filed by the IGP, although he had already filed a reply to the response submitted by the ICPC.
Following the submission, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case until March 25 for hearing.
The adjournment was made without objection from counsel to the ICPC and the IGP, Abdulsufianu Abubakar and Ezekiel Rimamsomte.
Justice Abdulmalik also directed that hearing notices be issued and served on the second respondent, a Chief Magistrate of the FCT, and the fourth respondent, the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were not represented in court.
