A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday dismissed a ₦120 million fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Department of State Services (DSS) and three other respondents.

The court dismissed the suit for what it described as a “lack of merit and substance” and ordered El-Rufai to pay ₦200,000 in costs to each of the four respondents.

Other respondents in the suit were the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Daily Trust reports that El-Rufai instituted the suit, alleging that the actions of the respondents violated his fundamental rights.

Delivering judgment, Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court held that the invitation letters issued by the EFCC and ICPC, asking El-Rufai to appear for questioning over allegations against him, complied with constitutional requirements.

The judge ruled that the invitations did not constitute a violation of his fundamental rights, adding that neither agency infringed on his rights by asking him to provide clarification on issues raised against him.

On whether the DSS's alleged attempt to arrest El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja violated his rights, the court upheld the agency's argument that it had the statutory authority to maintain watchlists and arrest persons of interest.

The court further held that El-Rufai could not use the judicial process to prevent security agencies from performing their lawful duties.

Justice Oriji also rejected El-Rufai's argument that the attempted arrest was unlawful because the DSS did not have an arrest warrant. The judge ruled that the agency possessed relevant powers under the legal framework governing its operations.

Regarding the seizure of El-Rufai's international passport by the DSS, the court held that the action was lawful under the agency's statutory powers.

The judge further noted that El-Rufai had failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish that the seizure was continuing, permanent or unlawful.

Consequently, the court dismissed the entire suit for lack of merit and ordered El-Rufai to pay ₦200,000 each to the four respondents, including the Attorney-General of the Federation.