Former Kaduna Governor Sues Anti Graft Agency Over Alleged Denial of Family Visits, Seeks N10bn
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged restrictions placed on visits by his wife and son while he remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In the fresh suit filed on August 13, El-Rufai is demanding N10 billion in damages, alleging that the commission’s actions have interfered with his constitutional rights to family life, dignity and humane treatment during detention. He also listed the ICPC chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.
Through his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, the former governor is asking the court to order the commission to provide him with reasonable and unhindered access to his family and legal representatives for as long as he remains in custody. He further alleged that restrictions imposed on his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, have affected their ability to provide him with food, medication and other personal necessities.
The legal challenge is also linked to an earlier Federal High Court order issued in Kaduna, which reportedly directed the ICPC to allow detained persons access to their lawyers and personal physicians when necessary. El-Rufai’s representatives argue that the continued restriction of family visits despite the order amounts to an unlawful interference with his rights, while the ICPC has yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations.
