El-Rufai files fresh N10bn suit against ICPC over family access

Nasir El-Rufai, a former Kaduna State Governor, has filed a new N10bn suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly denying access to his wife and son while detained. The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13. El-Rufai claims his fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution were violated due to the ICPC's refusal to allow his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, to visit him in custody.

The former governor and his legal team, including lawyer Ubong Akpan, filed the suit against the ICPC Chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation. El-Rufai seeks nine reliefs, including declarations that his constitutional rights remain enforceable despite detention. He alleges repeated denial of family visits, physical restraint, and intimidation of his family members by ICPC officers.

The suit alleges that these actions amount to unconstitutional interference with his spousal and filial relationships. El-Rufai's principal secretary, Mohammed Shaba, provided an affidavit stating that El-Rufai was detained at the ICPC office in Abuja. The affidavit also noted that El-Rufai is named as the first defendant in charge number FHC/KD/73C/2025.