The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has urged Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja to dismiss a rights enforcement suit filed by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.
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), the IGP, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). The suit challenges a recent search of his Asokoro home in Abuja by law enforcement agents, during which some items were allegedly recovered.
In a counter-affidavit, the IGP justified the search, arguing that El-Rufai was attempting to use the suit as a shield against investigation and possible prosecution. The police maintained that they have statutory powers to detect, arrest, investigate, and prosecute offenders, and that the search was conducted under a warrant issued by a competent court.
The IGP further rejected El-Rufai’s claim that the warrant was invalid, insisting it was lawfully issued and executed in full compliance with legal procedures.
During Thursday’s proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that he had not yet responded to the IGP’s counter-affidavit, although he had replied to that of the ICPC.
Without objection from the counsel for the ICPC and the IGP — Abdulsufianu Abubakar and Ezekiel Rimamsomte — Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until March 25 for hearing. She also ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on the second respondent, a Chief Magistrate of the FCT, and the fourth respondent, the AGF, who were not represented in court.
