El-Rufai Slams N10 Billion Suit Against ICPC, Cites Rights Violation Over Family Access Denial

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has filed a N10 billion lawsuit against Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). El-Rufai alleges the ICPC has grossly violated his fundamental rights during his detention.

In the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, El-Rufai claims the ICPC denied his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, access to him. He argues this denial, particularly for providing food, medication, and other necessities, constitutes a violation of his constitutional rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

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The repeated refusal of the prosecuting agency to allow his family members access to him, particularly to provide food, medication and other necessities, without lawful justification or a court order, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.

El-Rufai's lawyer stated that ICPC officials physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son on July 7, calling it an arbitrary interference with his family relationships. El-Rufai is seeking a court declaration that the continued denial of family access without lawful justification is unconstitutional and illegal.

He also requests the court to direct the ICPC and the Attorney General of the Federation to grant him unhindered access to his family and legal counsel. El-Rufai contends that the denial has subjected him to humiliation, emotional trauma, anxiety, and psychological distress. This lawsuit follows a previous N1 billion suit El-Rufai filed against the ICPC over an alleged unlawful search of his Abuja residence.

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The respondents’ conduct amounts to an unjustifiable interference with the applicant’s dignity and family life and is therefore unconstitutional.