The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in a ₦10 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice Chigozie Onah fixed December 8 for judgment on Wednesday after parties adopted their court processes and presented arguments in the case.
The suit arose from El-Rufai’s allegation that the ICPC repeatedly denied his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, access to him while he was in detention. He also alleged that they were prevented from bringing him food, medication and other necessities.
The former governor argued that the alleged restrictions violated his rights to dignity and private and family life under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
During the proceedings, the court reviewed CCTV footage from cameras installed at the ICPC premises. The recordings included an incident on July 7, when Asabe reportedly arrived at the commission’s office at about 2:37pm with an officer to deliver food to her husband. Footage relating to an earlier incident on July 4 was also played.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Akpan, argued that the recordings did not show that his client’s wife or son breached any security protocol warranting the denial of access.
He urged the court to determine whether the respondents had provided sufficient grounds for restricting family visits, insisting that any such limitation must be backed by clear and verifiable justification.
Akpan also referred to the Nelson Mandela Rules, which set out internationally recognised standards for the treatment of people in detention.
However, ICPC counsel, Yetunde Mosunmola, urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the CCTV footage showed that Asabe breached the commission’s security protocols on two occasions.
She alleged that Asabe was smuggled into the premises on July 4 with the assistance of officers on duty. The commission said the officers involved faced disciplinary action, with one reportedly dismissed.
The ICPC maintained that the restrictions were based on security concerns and were not intended to violate El-Rufai’s fundamental rights.
The court is expected to deliver its judgment on December 8.
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