The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has asked 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 N1 billion in damages against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

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

In a counter-affidavit, Disu defended the operation, stating that the search was conducted based on a warrant issued by a competent court. He argued that the police acted within their statutory powers to detect, investigate, and prosecute criminal offences.

The police chief also rejected El-Rufai’s claim that the warrant was invalid, insisting that the order was lawfully obtained and properly executed by officers who followed due legal procedures.

Disu further accused the former governor of attempting to use the lawsuit to shield himself from investigation and potential prosecution.

During proceedings on Thursday, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, informed the court that he had yet to respond to the counter-affidavit filed by the police, though he had already filed a reply to the ICPC’s submission.

With no objection from counsel representing the ICPC and the IGP—Abdulsufianu Abubakar and Ezekiel Rimamsomte—Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to March 25 for hearing.

The court also directed that hearing notices be issued to the second and fourth respondents—the FCT Chief Magistrate and the Attorney-General of the Federation—who were not represented during the proceedings.