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By Correspondent in Abuja.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to restrain the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other security agencies from freezing his bank accounts or seizing his properties.
In a suit filed by his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, El-Rufai is asking the court to grant an interim injunction directing the respondents to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
He argued that such an order is necessary to prevent what he described as a “fait accompli,” in line with established judicial precedents.
Our correspondent reports that, in addition to the ICPC, the suit lists the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as second to fourth respondents respectively.
In the originating process marked FHC/ABJ/CS/368/2026, dated February 23 and filed on February 24, 2026, the former governor is seeking eight reliefs from the court.
Among other prayers, El-Rufai is asking for a declaration that his severance pay, received after completing his tenure as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, is a lawful entitlement.
He stated that the payment, calculated at 300 per cent of his annual basic salary in line with the guidelines of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Pension and Gratuity (Governor and Deputy Governor) Law of Kaduna State (2006, as amended in 2013 and 2020), constitutes legitimate income and cannot reasonably be suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
He further seeks a declaration that properties acquired from his severance pay and other legitimate earnings, as well as funds in his bank accounts, are protected under Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The accounts listed in the suit are held with Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc, including both naira and domiciliary accounts.
El-Rufai is also praying the court to declare that any attempt by the respondents to obtain interim or final forfeiture, freezing, or seizure orders against him,without establishing reasonable suspicion supported by credible evidence,would amount to a violation of his constitutional rights.
He cited Section 17(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and referenced the Supreme Court decision in Melrose General Services Ltd v. EFCC (2024) SC/1519/2019.
The former governor further argued that, as a citizen, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence and protection of his fundamental rights.
He maintained that any ex-parte application that conceals material facts would breach Section 36(5) of the Constitution and undermine the principle of fair hearing.
The former Governor is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the agencies from freezing, attaching, seizing, or otherwise interfering with his properties and bank accounts.
In addition, El-Rufai is asking the court to award ₦1 billion as general, exemplary and aggravated damages for what he described as the anticipated violation of his fundamental rights, as well as the psychological distress and reputational harm allegedly caused by the threat of unlawful forfeiture proceedings.
He also seeks ₦100 million as costs of the action, including legal fees.
In his supporting affidavit, El-Rufai outlined his public service record, noting that he served as Director-General of the Federal Privatisation Agency (1999–2003), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (2003–2007), and Governor of Kaduna State (2015–2023).
He stated that he has never been convicted of any criminal offence and has consistently challenged anyone to present evidence of wrongdoing against him.
According to him, he received severance pay calculated at 300 per cent of his annual basic salary in line with RMAFC guidelines and Kaduna State law. He insisted that the funds are lawful entitlements and not proceeds of any illegal activity.
El-Rufai alleged that, following interviews conducted by the ICPC on February 20 and 21, 2026, the commission formed the view that his severance package was unlawfully used to acquire two properties, including Plot 1343, Asokoro, and another property described as “Unkumu.”
He, however, maintained that the Asokoro property was developed with a loan from Zenith Bank, while the other transaction related to a loan repayment or financial assistance to a friend, not property acquisition.
He contended that any move to freeze his assets would be baseless, lacking reasonable suspicion, and contrary to due process. He added that he has no other adequate remedy to prevent the alleged threat to his rights and affirmed his willingness to cooperate with any lawful investigation conducted in accordance with due process.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
