El-Rufai Sues ICPC for N10bn Over Family Access Denial

Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has instituted a N10 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly preventing him from accessing his family while in custody. The suit, filed by his lawyer Ubong Akpan, names the ICPC chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as additional defendants.

The originating motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026, was filed on August 13, 2026. El-Rufai claims that he has been denied visits from his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, which he argues breaches his rights under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He seeks nine reliefs, including a declaration that his rights remain inviolable despite his detention and an order for unhindered access to his family and counsel. El-Rufai alleges that the ICPC's actions have caused him humiliation, emotional trauma, and psychological distress.