El-Rufai Slams ICPC With N10bn Rights Suit Over Alleged Denial of Family Access
El-Rufai Slams ICPC With N10bn Rights Suit Over Alleged Denial of Family Access
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has opened another legal front against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), filing a N10 billion fundamental rights suit over allegations that the anti-graft agency repeatedly prevented members of his family from visiting him while in custody.
The fresh legal action adds another dimension to the prolonged controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s detention and his battle with the anti-corruption agency.
Court documents indicate that the originating motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, 2026, by his lawyer, Ubong Akpan.
The suit lists the ICPC, its chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants. El-Rufai is seeking nine reliefs, including declarations concerning his constitutional rights and an order guaranteeing access to his family and legal representatives.
El-Rufai Alleges Wife, Son Denied Access
At the heart of the suit is El-Rufai’s allegation that his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, were prevented from visiting him despite what he described as an existing court order allowing his family members and lawyers access to him.
The former governor argued that being in detention does not extinguish the fundamental rights guaranteed to him under Part IV of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
According to his claims before the court, the alleged repeated restriction on family visits also prevented relatives from supplying him with food, medication and other necessities.
El-Rufai contends that the alleged actions violated his rights to dignity and private and family life under Sections 34 and 37 of the Constitution, as well as protections contained in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The allegations remain claims before the court and have not been judicially established.
N10bn Damages Sought as Legal Battle Intensifies
El-Rufai is asking the court to order the ICPC and other respondents to provide him with what he described as unhindered and reasonable access to his family and lawyers throughout his detention.
He is also seeking N10 billion in damages, alleging that the restrictions caused him humiliation, emotional trauma, anxiety and psychological distress.
The former governor further alleged that ICPC officials physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son during an incident on July 7, asking the court to declare such alleged conduct unconstitutional and unlawful.
The latest suit comes against the backdrop of earlier legal proceedings involving El-Rufai and the commission. In March, another fundamental rights action instituted by the former governor against the ICPC and other respondents came before the Federal High Court.
El-Rufai’s family had also previously challenged the legality of his continued detention, arguing that an earlier remand order had expired without charges being filed against him at that stage.
Son Celebrates El-Rufai Amid Detention
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s son and member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mohammed El-Rufai, marked his father’s 27th wedding anniversary with his stepmother, Asia.
Mohammed praised his stepmother for her contribution to the family and described her continued support for his father during the detention as a source of strength.
The latest court action is expected to further intensify scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s detention, particularly questions about the rights of persons held by law-enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.
While anti-graft institutions have statutory responsibilities to investigate allegations of corruption and other offences within their mandates, such powers remain subject to constitutional safeguards and judicial oversight.
The Federal High Court will ultimately determine whether El-Rufai’s allegations are established and whether the reliefs and damages he is seeking should be granted.
