Tag: EFCC

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has taken legal action against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and other parties, demanding N1 billion in compensation over what he describes as an illegal raid on his Abuja residence. The case, lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges the validity of the search warrant used to access his property at No. 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, on February 19 at about 2 p.m. El-Rufai argues that the warrant was fundamentally defective, citing lack of specificity, drafting flaws, unclear execution terms, excessive scope, and absence of probable cause. He maintains that these shortcomings render the document invalid. According to him, operatives of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police breached his constitutional rights, including his rights to dignity, privacy, personal liberty, and fair hearing, during the operation. He is urging the court to declare that any materials obtained from the search cannot be used in any investigation or court proceedings, insisting they were unlawfully acquired. El-Rufai is also requesting an order directing the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately return all items taken from his home and provide a comprehensive inventory of the seized materials. His N1 billion claim covers multiple categories of damages: N300 million for psychological trauma and emotional distress; N400 million as exemplary damages intended to discourage future misconduct by law enforcement agencies; and N300 million as aggravated damages for what he described as the “malicious, high-handed and oppressive nature of the operation.” He is additionally seeking N100 million to cover legal expenses. His counsel argued that the warrant failed to clearly identify items to be seized and contained errors relating to the address, date, and district, making the entire exercise unlawful. “Evidence obtained without a valid warrant is unlawful and inadmissible.” In a supporting affidavit, a senior aide to El-Rufai stated that officers confiscated personal documents and electronic devices without lawful backing, causing humiliation and emotional distress. A hearing date has yet to be fixed by the court.

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has spent a second night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja as investigators continue questioning him over alleged corruption during his tenure from 2015 to 2023. El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 10 a.m. on Monday to honour an invitation for questioning. A source at the commission told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday night that he would remain under investigation. “As I speak, the former governor is still with our interrogators and will be spending the night with them,” the source said, adding that the duration of his stay depends on the progress of the investigation and that the EFCC is handling the matter professionally. Another EFCC official revealed that the commission may seek a remand order after the 48-hour legal limit expires to allow investigators sufficient time to conclude their questioning. “Ignore claims on social media that he has been released. He has not. El-Rufai is still with us and will spend another night in custody,” the source added, noting that investigators are carefully examining issues arising from his eight years in office. The probe stems from a 2024 report by an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which examined finances, loans, and contracts awarded between 2015 and 2023.