IGP Urges Court To Dismiss El-Rufai’s ₦1 Billion Rights Suit

The Inspector-General of Police has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in compensation against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The former governor instituted the suit to challenge the search conducted by law enforcement agents at his residence in the Asokoro area of Abuja.

El-Rufai alleged that the search violated his fundamental rights and is demanding damages from the respondents. During the operation, some items were reportedly recovered from the premises.

In a counter-affidavit filed before the court, the IGP defended the action of the police, insisting that the operation was lawful.

The police chief also accused the former governor of attempting to use the suit to shield himself from an ongoing investigation and possible prosecution.

The affidavit stated that the police have statutory authority to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute criminal offences.

According to the IGP, the search was carried out based on a warrant issued by a competent court.

The police also dismissed El-Rufai’s claim that the warrant used to conduct the search was invalid.

It maintained that the warrant was lawfully issued and properly executed by officers who complied with all relevant legal procedures.

At Thursday’s proceedings, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that he had not yet filed a response to the counter-affidavit submitted by the IGP, although he had replied to that filed by the ICPC.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdulsufianu Abubakar, and the police lawyer, Ezekiel Rimamsomte, did not object to the request for more time.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case until March 25 for hearing.

The judge also ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on the second respondent, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court, and the fourth respondent, the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were absent from the proceedings.