The court dismissed the suit for lacking merit and awarded N200,000 each in favour of the DSS, EFCC and ICPC.
Delivering judgment, Justice Sylvanus Orji held that the invitation letters issued to El-Rufai by the EFCC and ICPC complied with constitutional requirements and did not violate his fundamental rights.
On El-Rufai’s challenge to an attempted arrest by the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the judge held that the service possessed powers to carry out its statutory responsibilities pursuant to the relevant legal instruments governing its operations, including the National Security Agencies Act.
The court further held that the DSS had the mandate to maintain watchlists and take appropriate action, including arresting persons of interest within the scope of its lawful powers.
Justice Orji stressed that El-Rufai could not use the court to prevent security and law enforcement agencies from performing their legally assigned duties.
On the seizure of the former governor’s international passport by the DSS, the court held that it was satisfied that the action was lawful and within the agency’s powers.
The judge also ruled that the applicant had failed to establish that the seizure was continuous, permanent and unlawful in a manner that amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
The suit sought N120 million in damages over alleged violations of El-Rufai’s rights in connection with the actions of the security and anti-corruption agencies.
The ruling represents a setback for the former governor in his legal challenge to the actions taken by the agencies.
