El-Rufai Sues ICPC for N10bn Over Family Access Denial

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has initiated a N10 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The suit, filed by his lawyer Ubong Akpan on August 13, 2026, claims that the ICPC prevented him from accessing his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, while in custody.

El-Rufai alleges that this denial breached his fundamental human rights as guaranteed under Part IV of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He seeks nine reliefs, including a court declaration affirming that his rights remain inviolable despite his detention.

The ICPC, through spokesperson John Odey, stated that they have not denied access to El-Rufai's family in accordance with a court order. El-Rufai's claims include allegations of physical restraint and intimidation of his family by ICPC officers on July 7, which he argues violated his rights to dignity and private family life.