ICPC Defends El-Rufai’s Detention As Group Hires US Lobby Firm
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 its actions are based strictly on the law and not influenced by politics.
The commission’s position followed the decision of the El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) to engage Vanguard Africa, a Washington DC-based international advocacy firm, to campaign against what it described as the erosion of the rule of law and abuse of due process in Nigeria.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said the commission was not concerned by the group’s move to seek international intervention.
“We are not moved. We operate within the confines of the law and will continue to carry out our functions within the confines of the law,” Odey said.
According to him, El-Rufai remains in the commission’s custody based on a valid court remand order.
“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 is a free world and a free society, but people must operate within the confines of the law,” he added.
Odey also rejected allegations that the anti-corruption agency was being used to pursue political objectives.
“The ICPC is not political. It has never been and never will be. We are an anti-corruption law enforcement agency guided by an Act of Parliament,” he said.
He maintained that the commission prosecutes anyone found to have violated laws within its mandate, regardless of status or political affiliation.
“If there are infractions that fall within our Act and we charge you to court, it does not matter whether you are a clerk in a government agency, a private contractor, or a political figure. We do not politicise our work, and we have no political affiliations,” Odey stated.
Earlier, ERSGA announced that it had retained Vanguard Africa to coordinate advocacy efforts aimed at drawing international attention to El-Rufai’s case.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association said the firm would engage officials of the United States administration, members of Congress, relevant agencies, pro-democracy institutions and multilateral organisations on its behalf.
The group described El-Rufai as a seasoned reformer and statesman, alleging that his detention since mid-February and repeated delays in bail proceedings reflected a pattern of procedural irregularities.
“ERSGA categorically rejects the ICPC accusations and maintains El-Rufai’s innocence,” the statement said, adding that the former governor’s treatment represented a broader threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Speaking for the association, Mohammed Salihu said the international campaign was necessary because of concerns that due process was being undermined for political purposes.
“We are bringing these concerns to Washington because the international community has both the standing and the responsibility to speak plainly when due process is weaponised for political ends,” he said.
ERSGA further argued that El-Rufai’s case would test the impartiality of Nigeria’s institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the use of legal processes against opposition figures could weaken democratic competition.
The group called on the United States Government, international democratic institutions and civil society organisations to closely monitor developments in Nigeria and defend due process, judicial independence and democratic freedoms.
El-Rufai is currently facing prosecution by the ICPC over allegations of abuse of office, financial misconduct and fraud during his tenure as Kaduna State governor.
He is also being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over allegations that he authorised the wiretapping of communications linked to the National Security Adviser.
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