Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is seeking ₦10 billion in damages from the ICPC, alleging that the anti-corruption agency prevented his wife and son from visiting him while he was in custody.

El-Rufai filed the case through his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13. The suit also names the ICPC Chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as defendants.

The former governor wants the court to affirm that his constitutional rights remain protected despite his detention. He alleges that ICPC officials repeatedly blocked his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, from visiting him.

He further alleges that officers restrained and intimidated the two during an incident on July 7, which he says interfered with his family relationships.

El-Rufai argues that the alleged conduct violates his rights to human dignity and private and family life under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He is asking the court to declare the restrictions on family visits unlawful and unconstitutional and to uphold his right to maintain contact with his family while in custody.