The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over the search of his Abuja residence.

Fagbemi made the plea through a lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice during proceedings on Monday, after filing a counter-affidavit challenging El-Rufai’s claims.

In the counter-affidavit, the AGF argued that operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Inspector-General of Police acted within the law when they searched El-Rufai’s residence.

He also argued that the items recovered from the former governor’s home were relevant to an ongoing investigation and were required to facilitate its completion.

The AGF further described the suit as an abuse of court process, arguing that El-Rufai already has two other pending cases concerning the same matter before the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

Fagbemi maintained that the former governor had not established a reasonable cause of action to justify the reliefs being sought and urged the court to dismiss the case.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until October 27 to allow El-Rufai’s legal team to respond to the counter-affidavit.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, El-Rufai is challenging the validity of the search warrant used to authorise the search and seizure of items from his Abuja residence.

The former governor is asking the court to declare the warrant invalid and unlawful, citing what he described as drafting errors and ambiguities in the manner it was to be executed.

He also alleged that the search of his residence on Aso Drive constituted a violation of his fundamental rights.

El-Rufai is seeking an order directing the ICPC and the Inspector-General of Police to return all items taken from his residence during the search.

He is also demanding ₦1 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages over the alleged violation of his rights.

The case is expected to return to court on October 27 for further proceedings.