The detained former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a ₦10 billion fundamental rights suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Lodged before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026 accuses the anti-graft agency of preventing his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, from accessing him in custody.
Through his legal counsel, Ubong Akpan, the former governor argues that barring his family has unlawfully deprived him of essential provisions such as food and medication, violating his constitutional rights under Sections 34 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The legal action further details an incident on July 7, where ICPC officials allegedly physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son, describing the move as an arbitrary interference with his spousal and filial relationships.
Alongside the ICPC and its Chairman as the first and second respondents, the suit also lists the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as the third defendant.
El-Rufai is praying the court for declarations that the restrictions are unconstitutional and is seeking an order compelling authorities to grant him unhindered, reasonable access to his legal counsel and family members throughout his detention.
According to the applicant, the continuous denial of visits has subjected him to severe emotional trauma, anxiety, and psychological distress.
This new filing builds upon an earlier legal battle instituted by the former governor—who has remained in custody since February—regarding a separate ₦1 billion suit challenging the validity of a search warrant executed at his Abuja residence.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, is currently confronting multiple legal challenges across courts in both Abuja and Kaduna.
