El-Rufai Sues ICPC for N10bn Over Denied Family Access During Detention

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has initiated a fresh legal action against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, seeking N10 billion in damages over what he describes as unlawful denial of family access during his detention.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, alleges that the anti-graft agency prevented his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, from visiting him while in custody.

In the legal filing marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026, El-Rufai joined the ICPC Chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as second and third defendants respectively.

The former governor, through his counsel Ubong Akpan, is pursuing nine reliefs, including a declaration that his fundamental rights under Nigeria’s constitution remain enforceable despite his detention.

El-Rufai contends that the repeated refusal to permit family members access, particularly to deliver food, medication and other essentials without lawful justification, constitutes violations of Sections 34 and 37 of the Constitution as well as Articles 5 and 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The court papers further allege that ICPC officers physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son on July 7, describing the incident as arbitrary interference with spousal and filial relationships.

According to the former governor, the denial of access prevented his family from providing necessary supplies during his detention, subjecting him to humiliation, emotional trauma, anxiety and psychological distress.

An affidavit filed in support of the suit by El-Rufai’s Principal Secretary, Mohammed Shaba, confirmed that the former governor is being detained at the ICPC office in Abuja.

Shaba noted that Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Kaduna Division had on April 1 ordered the ICPC to allow defendants access to their counsel and personal physicians, establishing the principle that detainees should not be held incommunicado.

The affidavit further stated that prior to July 7, Asabe had regularly visited her husband and delivered meals without obstruction.

This legal action represents the latest in a series of suits filed by El-Rufai since the ICPC commenced investigations against him. In February, he had filed a separate N1 billion suit challenging the alleged unlawful search of his Abuja residence.