El-Rufai prayed the court to declare that, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the protection of his fundamental rights.
25th February 2026 08:42 AM 
Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order restraining the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and others from taking any step to freeze his bank accounts or seize his property.
El-Rufai, in a fresh suit filed by his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu, urged the court for an order of interim injunction directing the respondents to maintain the status quo-ante pending the hearing and determination of the application and the substantive originating mation.
The ex-governor said the order is necessary to prevent a fait accompli as recognised in previous cases.
Meanwhile, besides the ICPC, which is named as 1st respondent, others joined in the suit are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Department of State Services, DSS, and Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, as 2nd to 4th respondents respectively.
El-Rufai is praying for a declaration that his severance pay, received upon the completion of his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, cannot reasonably be suspected to be, proceeds of any unlawful activity.
He sought “a declaration that the properties purchased by the applicant from his said severance pay were lawfully acquired and owned by him.
He listed the banks to include Zenith Bank Plc, Naira Account Number: 1007158671; Zenith Bank Pic, Domiciliary Account Number: 507 1511327; Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc (GTB), Account Number: 0023824978; Access Bank, Dollar Account Number: 1396386493 and Access Bank, Naira Account Number: 1396382103.
He also sought a declaration that any attempt or plan by the respondents or their agents to apply for, obtain or execute any interim or final forfeiture order, freezing order, seizure order, or any other order depriving him of his property and/or bank accounts, without first establishing a reasonable suspicion supported by credible evidence as required by relevant law would amount to a breach of his rights.
He cited the law as Section 17(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and the Supreme Court decision in Melrose General Services Ltd v. EFCC (2024) SC/1519/2019.
El-Rufai prayed the court to declare that, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the protection of his fundamental rights.
