ICPC Defends El-Rufai’s Detention as Support Group Takes Campaign to Washington

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has defended the detention and prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that all actions taken against him are in strict compliance with the law and not driven by political considerations.

The commission's response followed an announcement by the El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) that it had engaged Vanguard Africa, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization, to spearhead an international campaign over what it described as violations of due process and a weakening of the rule of law in Nigeria.

Reacting to the development on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey dismissed the group's efforts to attract international attention to the case, stressing that the anti-corruption agency remains focused on its legal mandate.

“We are not moved. We operate within the confines of the law. The ICPC is not moved at all,” Odey said.

He explained that El-Rufai is being held pursuant to a valid court order and not at the discretion of the commission.

“We are not detaining him on our own. We are following lawful orders. He is in our custody by court remand. So, we don’t have any issues with that. It’s a free world and a free society, but people must operate within the confines of the law. We do not politicise our issues, nor do we prosecute on the basis of political affiliations,” he added.

Odey further emphasized that the ICPC is an independent anti-corruption agency guided by its establishing law, which applies equally to public officials, private contractors, and politically exposed persons.

However, the ERSGA has continued to insist that El-Rufai is innocent, alleging what it described as “alarming procedural irregularities” since his detention in mid-February.

According to the group, Vanguard Africa will coordinate engagements with officials of the United States government, members of Congress, pro-democracy organisations, and multilateral institutions in a bid to draw international attention to the case.

El-Rufai is currently facing prosecution by the ICPC over allegations of fraud, financial impropriety, and abuse of office during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

He is also being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations relating to the alleged wiretapping of communications belonging to the National Security Adviser.