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El-Rufai’s Lawyer Alleges ICPC Political Persecution, Demands His Immediate Release.
The lawyer representing former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of engaging in a politically motivated campaign against his client, demanding either his immediate release or formal arraignment in court.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement issued Monday in Abuja, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Esop Akpan, dismissed claims linking the former governor to multi-billion-naira properties in Egypt as fabricated and part of a smear campaign.
Akpan said the allegations were based on anonymous leaks rather than verifiable evidence.
“The ICPC has once again revealed itself as a tool for political vendetta by circulating baseless, anonymous ‘leaks’ alleging multi-billion naira properties in Egypt connected to my client,” the lawyer stated.
He accused the anti-corruption agency of attempting to legitimize what he described as El-Rufai’s “unlawful detention.”
“This narrative, built on unverifiable sources, is not an investigation but a desperate smear campaign aimed at justifying the ongoing unlawful detention of a citizen who has committed no crime,” Akpan added.
The statement noted that El-Rufai had voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 16 February 2026, where he was granted administrative bail. However, operatives acting under the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly transferred him to ICPC custody on 18 February.
Akpan said the former governor has been held for more than 20 days without formal charges.
“This detention violates Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees arraignment within a reasonable period,” he said.
The lawyer also alleged that a 14-day remand order issued by a magistrate court on 19 February expired on 4 March but was never served on El-Rufai or his legal team.
Akpan further accused ICPC operatives of attempting to pressure El-Rufai to withdraw from political activities.
“Operatives have failed in their efforts to coerce my client into abandoning his constitutional right to political participation, threatening extended detention unless he complies,” he said.
He emphasized that El-Rufai has repeatedly challenged the ICPC to present any evidence against him in court.
“Mallam El-Rufai has consistently dared the ICPC to charge him if they have credible evidence,” Akpan stated.
Legal action has also been initiated against ICPC officials and other implicated parties.
“We have filed criminal complaints against the ICPC chairman, the DSS Director General, and other officers, seeking their personal accountability,” the lawyer added.
Akpan insisted that the agency must either release El-Rufai immediately or formally arraign him before a competent court.
“We demand the immediate release of Mallam El-Rufai or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction. Anything less undermines Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law,” he concluded.
The ICPC had not responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
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