Lawyers to former Nasir El-Rufai have accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of spreading unverified allegations linking their client to multi-billion-naira properties in Egypt, describing the claims as part of a politically motivated campaign.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, counsel Ubong Esop Akpan said the allegations were based on anonymous “leaks” and lacked verifiable evidence.
Akpan argued that the claims were being circulated to justify what he described as the unlawful detention of the former Kaduna State governor.
According to him, the ICPC’s claim was “a fabricated narrative, devoid of verifiable evidence and reliant on shadowy sources,” adding that the development was not an investigation but a smear campaign aimed at justifying what he called the unlawful detention of a citizen who had committed no crime.
The lawyer further alleged that the anti-graft agency had deviated from its mandate, accusing it of prosecutorial misconduct and violations of fundamental rights.
Akpan said El-Rufai had voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, where he was granted administrative bail before being taken into custody two days later by operatives allegedly acting under the direction of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He added that the former governor had remained in detention since February 18 without being formally charged in court.
The lawyer argued that the detention violated Section 35 of the Constitution of the Nigeria, which guarantees personal liberty and requires that suspects be brought before a court within a reasonable time.
Akpan also questioned the validity of a remand order reportedly issued on February 19, claiming it expired on March 4 and was never served on the defence team.
He further alleged that ICPC officials, including its chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, attempted to pressure the former governor to abandon political activities in exchange for his release.
According to the statement, the defence team has initiated criminal complaint proceedings against the ICPC chairman, the DSS Director-General and other officers allegedly involved, seeking their personal accountability.
Akpan said the ICPC must either release El-Rufai immediately or arraign him before a court of competent jurisdiction, insisting that the agency cannot detain citizens indefinitely without due process while circulating unverified allegations.
