The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has dismissed a ₦120 million fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Gov. Nasir El-Rufai against the Department of State Services (DSS) and three other respondents.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji dismissed the suit for lacking merit and awarded ₦200,000 in costs to each respondent, payable by El-Rufai.
The court held that invitation letters issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for questioning over allegations against him did not violate his fundamental rights.
On the DSS’s attempted arrest of El-Rufai at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the judge upheld the agency’s authority to maintain watchlists and arrest persons of interest.
Justice Oriji also rejected El-Rufai’s argument that the attempted arrest was unlawful without a warrant, ruling that the DSS had the necessary statutory powers.
The court further held that the seizure of his passport was lawful, noting that El-Rufai had failed to prove that it was continuous, permanent and unlawful.
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