Court dismisses El-Rufai’s N120 million rights suit against SSS, EFCC, ICPC and AGF

Summary

The FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, dismissed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s fundamental rights suit over an airport incident earlier in the year.

Highlights

• The suit sought N120 million in damages from the State Security Service, EFCC, ICPC and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
• El-Rufai said security operatives seized his passport and tried to arrest him at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after his return to Abuja in February.
• Judge Sylvanus Oriji said the case lacked merit and awarded N200,000 in costs against El-Rufai in favour of each respondent, totalling N800,000.
• The court held that the SSS acted within its powers in placing a person of interest on its watchlist and arresting him where necessary.
• The judge also said the EFCC and ICPC invitation letters did not amount to a violation of El-Rufai’s rights.