News

El-Rufai Demands N15.6bn Damages From ICPC Over ‘Illegal’ Detention

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedMarch 6, 2026

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a formal petition and pre-action notice against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), demanding N15.6 billion in damages over what he described as unlawful detention and other alleged violations of his rights.

The petition, dated March 4, 2026, was written by a law firm led by Ubong Akpan and submitted to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

El-Rufai has remained in the custody of the ICPC despite being granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 18, 2026.

The latest move marks another legal confrontation between the former governor and the anti-graft agency.

El-Rufai had earlier filed a N1 billion suit seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights after ICPC operatives raided his residence.

In the fresh petition, he is seeking N15.6 billion in damages over alleged offences including defamation, abuse of office, forgery and uttering of false documents, malicious prosecution, contempt of court and violation of his fundamental rights.

Akpan described an earlier statement issued by the ICPC about El-Rufai as reckless, defamatory and legally untenable.

Part of the petition reads, “It is with profound regret, yet resolute determination, that we address you.

“The Commission, established by law to combat corruption and uphold the highest standards of integrity, has descended into what can only be described as a circus of chicanery, theatrical posturing and media trial.

“Your press statement of today is not a communication from a law enforcement agency; it is the frantic scribbling of an organisation that has been caught with its hands in the cookie jar of illegality and is now desperately attempting to justify the unjustifiable.

“We place you on notice: this letter is not a press release; it is a formal pre-action notice.

“It is the final courtesy extended to you before we unleash the full weight of the law upon your institution for the catalogue of crimes, torts and constitutional violations detailed below.”

The damages sought include N5 billion as compensatory damages, N5 billion as exemplary or punitive damages, N5 billion as aggravated damages, N500 million for injurious falsehood, and N100 million as cost of action, bringing the total claim to N15.6 billion.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.