The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the search of his Abuja residence.

The IGP made the request in a counter-affidavit filed before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, arguing that the suit lacks merit.

El-Rufai had instituted the action 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 IGP, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

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

In the counter-affidavit, the police chief defended the operation, maintaining that it was carried out in line with the law. The IGP accused El-Rufai of attempting to use the lawsuit as a shield to obstruct ongoing investigations and potential prosecution.

According to the police, officers acted on the strength of a valid search warrant issued by a competent court and executed the operation in accordance with established legal procedures. The IGP also dismissed El-Rufai’s claim that the warrant was invalid, insisting that the process followed by the police complied fully with statutory requirements.

At Thursday’s proceedings, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that he had yet to file a response to the counter-affidavit submitted by the IGP, though he had already replied to the one filed by the ICPC.

Counsel for the ICPC and the IGP — Abdulsufianu Abubakar and Ezekiel Rimamsomte — raised no objections when Justice Abdulmalik granted the request for more time.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until March 25 for hearing. She also directed that hearing notices be issued and served on the second and fourth respondents — a Chief Magistrate of the FCT and the Attorney-General of the Federation — who were not represented in court.