The Inspector General of Police has asked Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a 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 (ICPC), the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the police chief, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The former governor is challenging the search of his residence in the Asokoro area of Abuja by law enforcement agents, during which some items were reportedly recovered.
In a counter-affidavit filed before the court, the IGP justified the operation, accusing El-Rufai of attempting to use the lawsuit as a shield against investigation and possible prosecution.
According to the police, the force has statutory powers to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders, adding that the search was conducted based on a warrant issued by a competent court.
The IGP also rejected El-Rufai’s claim that the warrant was invalid, insisting that it was lawfully obtained and properly executed by officers who followed all required legal procedures.
At Thursday’s proceedings, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that he had not yet responded to the counter-affidavit filed by the IGP, although he had filed a reply to that of the ICPC.
Counsel to the ICPC and the IGP, Abdulsufianu Abubakar and Ezekiel Rimamsomte, did not oppose the request for more time.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case to March 25 for hearing and 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.
