El-Rufai seeks court order to stop EFCC, ICPC, DSS, from freezing his assets
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to restrain anti-corruption and security agencies from freezing his bank accounts or seizing his properties.
In a suit filed on February 24 through his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), El-Rufai asked the court to grant an interim injunction directing the respondents to maintain the “status quo ante” pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The respondents in the case include the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the State Security Service (SSS). The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is also listed as a co-defendant.
El-Rufai was reportedly detained by the ICPC for about a week following his return to Abuja on February 12 from Cairo, Egypt. Security operatives were also said to have attempted to arrest him upon arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
In his application, the former governor urged the court to declare that his severance benefits received after completing his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023 cannot reasonably be suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity. He also asked the court to affirm that properties acquired using those funds were lawfully obtained.
El-Rufai further requested a declaration that any attempt by the agencies to obtain interim or final forfeiture, freezing, or seizure orders against his assets without establishing reasonable suspicion supported by credible evidence would violate his fundamental rights.
He cited Section 17(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and relied on the Supreme Court’s decision in Melrose General Services Ltd v. EFCC (2024) SC/1519/2019 to support his claims.
The former governor also argued that any ex parte applications that allegedly conceal material facts would breach his right to fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36(5) of the Constitution.
