Connect with us

News

El-Rufai sues ICPC over validity of search warrant

Published

on

 

Following the 19th February 2026 search of his residence by officials of the ICPC, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has asked a Federal High Court to declare the search warrant as invalid. The case, which seeks the enforcement of his fundamental rights, named as respondents the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The case is seeking a declaration:
• That the search warrant is invalid, for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth and lack of probable cause.

• The invasion and search of his residence based on an invalid search warrant amounts to a gross violation of his fundamental human rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.

• Any evidence obtained pursuant to the invalid warrant and unlawful search is not admissible in any proceedings against him as it was obtained in breach of constitutional safeguards.

Malam El-Rufai is also seeking an injunction restraining the respondents from using or tendering any evidence or items seized during unlawful search in any proceedings involving him. He is seeking an order for the return of all items obtained during the search, and an order for various damages.

According to the court filing “the search warrant is fundamentally defective, lacking specificity in the description of items to be seized, containing material typographical errors, ambiguous execution terms, overbroad directives, and no verifiable probable cause, in contravention of Sections 143-148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 (ACJA), Section 36 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 (ICPC Act), an constitutional protections against arbitrary intrusions. “

Malam El-Rufai’s lawyers contend that:
• Section 143 of the ACJA requires that an application for a search warrant be supported by information in writing and on oath, setting forth reasonable grounds for suspicion, which was absent here as evidenced by the incomplete initiating clause;

• Section 144 mandates particular descriptions of the place to be searched and the items sought, to prevent general warrants, yet the warrant vaguely refers to “the thing aforesaid” without any detail;

• Section 146 stipulates that the warrant must be in the prescribed form, free from defects that could mislead, but the document is riddled with errors in the address, date, and district designation;

• Section 147 allows direction to specified persons, but the warrant’s indiscriminate addressing to “all” officers is overbroad and unaccountable;

• Section 148 permits execution at reasonable times, but the contradictory language creates ambiguity, undermining procedural clarity.

Signed
Muyiwa Adekeye
Media Adviser
23rd February 2026

News

Security threat: Imo Police Commissioner seeks alliance with navy ‎

Published

on

Imo State Police Commissioner, Audu Garba Bosso, has paid an official visit to the Nigeria Naval Base Oguta, with the aim of reinforcing security coordination and strengthening synergy between the force and the Nigerian Navy in the State.

On the visit, CP Bosso emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among security agencies to effectively address security threats across the State.

He also solicited for continued operational support and strengthened intelligence sharing to bolster joint security efforts.

In his response, the Commander, Naval Base Oguta, Commodore S.T. Lengaya, assured the CP of the Nigerian Navy’s continued support for joint efforts aimed at maintaining peace, stability, and the protection of critical assets across the State.

‎He added that the meeting will strengthen existing collaboration frameworks and reaffirmed the shared resolve of both agencies to safeguard lives and property in the State.

Those in attendance included senior officers of the Naval Base and management team of the State P
Continue Reading

News

Court dismisses ICPC’s suit against N941. 9m for being unjusticeable, incompetent

Published

on

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, against N941, 994, 079 for reasons of forfeiture of the money to the federal government.

The angry Judge threw away the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/156/2026 in FRN Vs N941, 994, 079 on ground of being grossly incompetent and non justiceable.

ICPC had through its counsel, Mr Hamza Sani sought to move an ex-parte application praying for forfeiture of the huge sum to the federal government, having been allegedly found to be proceed of unlawful transaction in a bank account.

As the case was called and ICPC through its lawyer announced appearance as the applicant on behalf of the federal government, Justice Nyako who was piqued by the development challenged the lawyer on the competence of the suit.

As the ICPC counsel was struggling to get an answer, the Judge further challenged him to explain to the court whether the suit against an ordinary money was justiciable.

In the drama that ensued, the Judge ordered the lawyer to go to ICPC’s counterpart, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to learn how to couch forfeiture suit before a court of record.

While faulting ICPC’s adopted procedures in the incompetent ways and manners the instant suit was couched, the Judge lectured the lawyer that such ex-parte application must be against a justiceable person.

“Counsel let ICPC borrow a leave from EFCC. Let your organization know that this kind of suit must be filed in the name of its Chairman.

“Secondly, let your organization learn that the name of the person in whose bank account, the alleged illicit fund was found must accompany the money in the motion.

“Go back and put your house in order. I cannot make an order against a non justiceable person as in this your incompetent motion.

“This kind of suit must be filed in the name of ICPC Chairman. The name of the person in whose bank account the money was found must also be reflected, it must be put in the motion before it can become competent in law.

“I don’t engage in academic or futile exercise. Court orders are not made in vain. They are made against justiceable persons so that they can be enforced.

Justice Nyako blocked arguing the application until the ICPC files a competent one known to law and its procedures.

 

Continue Reading

News

I have an uncommon relationship with Obasanjo – Charly Boy

Published

on

Human rights activist, Charly Boy, says he has an uncommon relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Charly Boy said this in a statement posted on his official X handle, stressing that the relationship is built on mutual respect, understanding, and shared concern for Nigeria’s future.

The Maverick entertainer, widely known for his rebellious persona and outspoken criticism of the government, said that many Nigerians initially found his closeness to Obasanjo surprising.

“People wondered how someone who constantly challenges authority could be so connected to a former head of state. But life is not always black and white. Sometimes respect and understanding build bridges where people least expect,” he wrote.

According to him, the former head of state recognized qualities in him that others often overlooked, courage, consistency, and a commitment to truth regardless of circumstances.

In return, Charly Boy said he saw beyond Obasanjo’s military background and presidential title, acknowledging him as an elder who had endured war, leadership pressures, and national challenges yet remained resilient.

He added that their relationship is not one of publicity or noise but of quiet understanding, stating that conversations between them often revolve around Nigeria’s pressing issues, marked by debate and disagreement but never bitterness.

“We may argue, we may disagree, but respect is always intact,” Charly Boy emphasized.

Continue Reading

Trending