By Chimezie Godfrey
Counsel to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of engaging in political persecution and unlawful detention of his client.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the lawyer, Ubong Esop Akpan, alleged that the anti-graft agency had embarked on a smear campaign involving alleged anonymous media leaks about properties purportedly linked to the former governor.
Akpan described the allegations circulating in the media as fabricated and lacking verifiable evidence.
“The ICPC has once again exposed its descent into a tool of political vendetta through the dissemination of baseless, anonymous ‘leaks’ alleging multi-billion naira properties in Egypt linked to my client, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai,” the statement said.
According to the lawyer, the narrative being circulated was not the outcome of any legitimate investigation.
“This fabricated narrative, devoid of verifiable evidence and reliant on shadowy sources, is not an investigation but a desperate smear campaign designed to justify the ongoing unlawful detention of a citizen who has committed no crime,” he said.
Akpan alleged that his client had been held without charge for more than 20 days.
He claimed that El-Rufai had initially reported voluntarily to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026 and was granted administrative bail before being transferred to the ICPC.
“Since the night of February 18, 2026, when operatives under the direction of the Director-General of the Department of State Services unlawfully rendered Mallam El-Rufai from EFCC custody, the ICPC has held him without charge,” Akpan said.
The lawyer argued that the continued detention violates constitutional provisions.
“This detention, now exceeding 20 days, contravenes Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates arraignment within a reasonable time,” he stated.
Akpan also challenged the legality of a remand order allegedly obtained by the anti-graft agency.
“The purported 14-day remand order issued on February 19, 2026 by a magistrate court lacking jurisdiction expired on March 4 and was never served on my client or his counsel,” he said.
He further alleged that ICPC officials had attempted to pressure El-Rufai to abandon his political activities.
“Operatives acting on the authority of the ICPC chairman have attempted to coerce my client to abandon his constitutional rights to political participation, threatening prolonged detention unless he complies,” the lawyer alleged.
Akpan said the legal team had initiated criminal complaint proceedings against officials of the ICPC and the DSS.
“We have initiated criminal complaint proceedings against the chairman, the DSS Director-General and other implicated officers, seeking their personal accountability for these crimes,” he said.
The lawyer demanded the immediate release of the former governor or his arraignment before a competent court.
“We demand the immediate release of Mallam El-Rufai or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction. Anything less is a mortal blow to Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law,” Akpan said.