The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has defended the detention and prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that its actions are guided strictly by the law and not politics.
The commission’s reaction followed the announcement by the El-Rufai Support Group Association that it had engaged Vanguard Africa, a Washington DC-based international advocacy firm, to lead a campaign highlighting what it described as the erosion of the rule of law and abuse of due process in Nigeria .
Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the ICPC spokesman, John Odey, said the commission was not disturbed by the group’s decision to seek international support.
“We are not moved. We operate within the confines of the law. The ICPC is not moved at all,” Odey said.
“We operate within the confines of the law and will continue to carry out our functions within the confines of the law. 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, it’s a free society, but people must operate within the confines of the law.”
Odey also dismissed claims that the anti-corruption agency was being used for political purposes.
“No, we are not political. The ICPC is not political. It has never been and never will be. The ICPC is an anti-corruption law enforcement agency. We have an Act that guides our operations,” he said.
“If there are infractions that fall within our Act and we charge you to court, it doesn’t matter whether you are a clerk in a government agency, a private contractor who has contravened the laws, or a political figure. It is immaterial. We do not politicise our issues, nor do we prosecute on the basis of political affiliations. The ICPC is not a political party and does not have any political affiliations.”
Earlier, the El-Rufai Support Group Association announced the engagement of Vanguard Africa, a Washington DC-based international advocacy firm, to lead a campaign about what it described as the erosion of the rule of law and abuse of due process in Nigeria .
According to the association, Vanguard Africa would coordinate outreach to officials of the United States administration, members of Congress, relevant agencies, pro-democracy institutions and multilateral stakeholders on its behalf .
Speaking on behalf of the association, Mohammed Salihu said the former governor’s case reflected broader concerns about democratic institutions in the country.
“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,” Salihu said .
ERSGA said the campaign was focused on the case of El-Rufai, whom it described as a reformer and senior statesman with decades of public service . The group maintained that El-Rufai is innocent of the allegations against him and called on foreign governments, democratic institutions and civil society organisations to closely monitor developments surrounding the case .
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February over allegations of financial impropriety linked to his tenure as Kaduna State governor. He was indicted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2024 over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering. The assembly subsequently recommended that anti-graft agencies investigate the allegations .
He was later arraigned by the ICPC before a Kaduna High Court on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office . The latest move by his supporters comes amid claims by members of his family that his rights have been violated while in custody. The ICPC has rejected the allegations and maintains that it has acted within the law .
