El-Rufai Files Fresh ₦10bn Suit Against ICPC

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai on Monday, filed a fresh ₦10 billion suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that his wife and son were denied access to him while he was in the commission’s custody.

The suit, filed by his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, also lists the ICPC chairman and the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice as the second and third defendants.

The originating motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026, was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, on August 13, 2026.

El-Rufai is asking the court to declare that his fundamental rights under Part IV of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, remain valid and enforceable despite his detention by the commission.

According to the suit, the former governor alleged that the ICPC repeatedly prevented his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and his son, Abba El-Rufai, from visiting him while he was in custody.

He claimed that the alleged denial deprived him of the opportunity to receive food, medication and other necessities from his family without lawful justification or a court order.

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El-Rufai further alleged that the actions violated rights guaranteed under Sections 34 and 37 of the constitution, as well as Articles 5 and 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He also alleged that ICPC officers physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son on July 7, describing the incident as an unlawful interference with his spousal and filial relationships.

The former governor is seeking declarations that the alleged treatment breached his constitutional rights to dignity of the person and private and family life.

He is also asking the court to declare that the continued denial of access to his family members without lawful authority is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.

The suit contains nine reliefs sought by El-Rufai, including ₦10 billion in monetary compensation for the alleged violations.

The case adds another legal dimension to El-Rufai’s ongoing dispute with the anti-corruption agency over his detention and the circumstances surrounding his custody.