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), accusing the agency of blocking his wife and son from visiting him while he remains in custody.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, 2026, contains nine reliefs and lists the ICPC chairman and the Attorney General of the Federation as the second and third defendants. El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, filed the originating motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026.
El-Rufai claims his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba el-Rufai, were denied access to him despite an existing court order allowing family members and his legal representatives to visit. He argues that the restrictions have also prevented his family from supplying him with food, medication and other basic necessities.
The former governor is asking the court to affirm that his constitutional rights remain enforceable despite his detention by the ICPC. He specifically cited his rights to dignity and private and family life under Sections 34 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as protections contained in Articles 5 and 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
El-Rufai further alleged that ICPC officers physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son during an incident on July 7. He wants the court to declare such conduct, along with the continued denial of family access, unconstitutional and unlawful.
Among his requests is an order compelling the ICPC and other respondents to provide him with reasonable and unhindered access to his family and lawyers throughout his detention, in accordance with the earlier Federal High Court order. He said the alleged treatment had subjected him to humiliation, emotional trauma, anxiety and psychological distress.
The legal action comes as El-Rufai’s son, Mohammed El-Rufai, marked his father and stepmother Asia’s 27th wedding anniversary over the weekend. In a Facebook post, the Kaduna North Federal Constituency representative described Asia as the “glue” holding the family together and praised her compassion, intellect and commitment to helping vulnerable people.
Mohammed recalled Asia’s influence on him from his school years, saying she helped shape his values and approach to public representation. He also praised her support for widows and orphans during his father’s time as governor and said her presence had remained a source of strength for the family while his father’s detention continues.
