The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has dismissed a ₦120 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai against the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Justice Sylvanus Oriji, who delivered the judgment on Monday, October 19, 2026, ruled that the suit lacked merit and substance. The court also ordered El-Rufai to pay ₦200,000 in costs to each of the four respondents.
The former governor had challenged actions by the security and anti-corruption agencies, alleging violations of his fundamental rights. He sought to invalidate invitation letters issued by the EFCC and ICPC and demanded ₦120 million in damages.
However, the court held that the agencies’ invitation letters complied with constitutional requirements and did not infringe on his rights.The judge ruled that the agencies were acting within their statutory responsibilities by inviting El-Rufai to respond to issues under investigation.
The court also rejected his argument that the DSS violated his rights when operatives attempted to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. It upheld the service’s authority to maintain watchlists and arrest persons of interest in accordance with its statutory powers.
On the seizure of El-Rufai’s international passport, the court held that the action was lawful under the powers of the DSS. It further found that the former governor had not established that the seizure was continuous, permanent and unlawful.
The ruling represents a setback for El-Rufai in this particular rights enforcement case. However, the dismissal should be distinguished from other legal proceedings involving the former governor, including separate cases concerning investigations and the search of his Abuja residence.
An FCT High Court has dismissed Nasir El-Rufai’s ₦120 million fundamental rights suit against the DSS, EFCC, ICPC and Attorney-General of the Federation, awarding ₦200,000 in costs to each respondent.
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