IGP urges court to dismiss El-Rufai’s ₦1bn 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 damages against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The former governor is challenging the recent search conducted by law enforcement agents at his residence in the Asokoro area of Abuja, during which some items were reportedly recovered.

In a counter-affidavit filed before the court, the Inspector-General of Police defended the action of the officers, accusing El-Rufai of attempting to use the suit to shield himself from investigation and possible prosecution.

The police chief maintained that the Nigeria Police Force has statutory powers to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute individuals suspected of committing offences.

According to the IGP, the search of the former governor’s residence was carried out based on a valid warrant issued by a competent court.

He also dismissed El-Rufai’s claim that the warrant was invalid, insisting that it was lawfully obtained and properly executed by officers who complied with the necessary legal procedures.

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

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

The decision followed the absence of objections from the counsel representing the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police, Abdulsufianu Abubakar and Ezekiel Rimamsomte.

The judge also directed that hearing notices be issued and served on the second respondent, a Chief Magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory, and the fourth respondent, the Attorney-General of the Federation, who were not represented in court.