Lawyers representing former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of circulating unverified allegations linking their client to multi-billion-naira properties in Egypt. They described the claims as part of a politically motivated campaign.
In a statement issued on Monday, counsel Ubong Esop Akpan said the allegations are based on anonymous “leaks” and lack verifiable evidence. He argued that the narrative is being used to justify what he described as the unlawful detention of El-Rufai.
Akpan stated: “This is a fabricated narrative, devoid of verifiable evidence and reliant on shadowy ‘sources.’ It is not an investigation but a desperate smear campaign designed to justify the ongoing unlawful detention of a citizen who has committed no crime.”
The lawyer further accused ICPC of transforming from an anti-corruption agency into a “criminal enterprise,” engaging in prosecutorial misconduct, hostage-taking, and violations of fundamental rights for political purposes.
According to the statement, El-Rufai voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, was granted administrative bail, but was subsequently taken into custody on February 18 by operatives allegedly acting under the direction of the Department of State Services (DSS). He remains detained without formal charges.
The legal team argued that the detention violates Section 35 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which guarantees personal liberty and requires suspects to be brought before a court within a reasonable time. They also challenged a remand order reportedly issued on February 19, claiming it expired on March 4 and was never served on the defence team.
Akpan accused ICPC officials, including Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu, of pressuring El-Rufai to abandon political activities in exchange for release. “The ICPC’s resort to anonymous media plants, rather than judicial process, betrays their fear of scrutiny and underscores their complicity in forgery and use of forged documents to perpetuate this injustice,” the statement read.
The lawyers said criminal complaints have been initiated against the ICPC Chairman, the DSS Director General, and other implicated officers, seeking personal accountability. They demanded the immediate release of El-Rufai or his arraignment before a competent court.
