El-Rufai demands family access, N10bn damages from ICPC

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has initiated a fresh N10 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly barring his wife and son from visiting him during his detention. Filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, the suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026) names the ICPC chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as co-defendants.

El-Rufai seeks declarations that his constitutional rights remain valid despite his detention, and contends that the ICPC's refusal to allow family visits, particularly for bringing food, medication and necessities, violated his rights under Section 34 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 5 and 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.

The lawyer for El-Rufai, Ubong Akpan, also joined the suit, stating that the denial of family access was arbitrary, unlawful and unconstitutional. The former governor's family claims that this denial has caused emotional trauma and psychological distress for both his wife and son. El-Rufai's Principal Secretary, Mohammed Shaba, said the governor was currently detained at the ICPC office in Abuja, and his wife Aichatou had been personally responsible for providing him food, clothing, medication, and other necessities while in custody.