Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has filed a fresh N10 billion fundamental rights suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that he was denied access to members of his family while in custody.
The suit was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, 2026, and is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026.
El-Rufai, through his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, listed the ICPC chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as additional defendants in the case.
El-Rufai Alleges Denial of Family Access
In the suit, the former governor alleged that his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and his son, Abba El-Rufai, were prevented from visiting him while he was being detained by the ICPC.
He claimed that the restrictions prevented his family from providing him with food, medication and other personal necessities.
El-Rufai further alleged that ICPC officers physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son during an incident on July 7, 2026.
According to his legal team, the alleged conduct amounted to an unlawful interference with his dignity and family life.
Former Governor Seeks Court Protection
El-Rufai is asking the court to declare that his fundamental rights remain enforceable despite his detention.
He is also seeking an order directing the respondents to provide him with unhindered and reasonable access to his family members and legal representatives throughout his detention.
The former governor argued that the alleged denial of family access violated rights protected under Sections 34 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
He also claimed that the alleged treatment subjected him to humiliation, emotional trauma, anxiety and psychological distress.
Earlier Court Order
In an affidavit filed in support of the case, El-Rufai's Principal Secretary, Mohammed Shaba, said the former governor was being detained at the ICPC office in Abuja.
Shaba also referred to an earlier order issued by Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna on April 1, directing the ICPC to allow defendants access to their lawyers and personal physicians when required.
El-Rufai's legal team argued that the earlier order demonstrated that detainees remained entitled to judicially protected access to legal and medical support.
N10bn Damages Sought
The fresh suit seeks nine reliefs from the Federal High Court, including declarations concerning the alleged violation of El-Rufai's fundamental rights.
He is also asking the court to award him N10 billion in damages over the alleged denial of family access and the resulting emotional and psychological distress.
The case is the latest legal action filed by the former governor against the ICPC amid an ongoing legal battle involving his detention and corruption-related proceedings.
The ICPC has yet to have its position on the fresh allegations determined by the court.
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