Counsel to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of conducting a politically motivated campaign against his client and demanded his immediate release or arraignment in court.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the lawyer, Ubong Esop Akpan, described allegations linking El-Rufai to multi-billion naira properties in Egypt as fabricated and part of a smear campaign.
Akpan said the claims were based on anonymous leaks rather than 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,” the lawyer said.
He alleged that the anti-corruption agency was attempting to justify what he called the “unlawful detention” of the former governor.
“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,” Akpan stated.
According to the statement, El-Rufai had voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, where he was granted administrative bail.
However, Akpan claimed that operatives acting under the direction of the Department of State Services (DSS) later transferred him into ICPC custody on February 18.
The lawyer said his client had remained in detention for more than 20 days without being formally charged.
“This detention contravenes Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates arraignment within a reasonable time,” he said.
Akpan also argued that a 14-day remand order allegedly issued by a magistrate court on February 19 expired on March 4 and was never served on either El-Rufai or his legal team.
The lawyer further accused ICPC operatives of attempting to pressure his client to withdraw from political activities.
“Operatives have failed in their attempts to coerce my client to abandon his constitutional rights to political participation, threatening prolonged detention unless he complies,” Akpan alleged.
He added that El-Rufai had repeatedly challenged the ICPC to file charges in court if evidence existed against him.
“Mallam El-Rufai has consistently challenged the ICPC to charge him in court if any evidence exists,” he said.
Akpan disclosed that legal proceedings had been initiated against the ICPC leadership and other officials over the matter.
“We have initiated criminal complaint proceedings against the chairman, the DSS Director General, and other implicated officers, seeking their personal accountability,” he said.
He insisted that the anti-corruption agency must either release El-Rufai or 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 is a mortal blow to Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law,” Akpan added.
The ICPC had yet to respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
