Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has claimed that officials from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pressured him to abandon his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections as a condition for his release from detention.
This assertion is laid out in a 30-page criminal complaint he filed in court, where he implicates ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu and four other officials.
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In the court documents, El-Rufai contends that during his detention, ICPC agents, allegedly following orders from higher-ups, informed him that his freedom hinged on withdrawing from political pursuits.
He indicated in Paragraph 12 of the complaint that officers explicitly stated that stepping back from politics was a prerequisite for his release.
Further claims in the affidavit (Paragraphs 22–24) suggest that he was repeatedly cautioned that he would remain imprisoned if he did not cease his political activities, but would regain his freedom if he agreed to disengage.
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This allegation is part of Count Six of the suit, where El-Rufai accuses the officials of wrongful confinement aimed at coercing him, which constitutes an offense under certain sections of the Penal Code.
He is requesting the court to investigate what he characterizes as an abuse of power and an infringement of his constitutional right to engage in political activity.
Currently, the ICPC has not provided an official statement regarding the matter.
In the meantime, the Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled the case for March 25, 2026, allowing time for all parties to complete their submissions.
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El-Rufai is pursuing ₦1 billion in damages, naming the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Federal Ministry of Justice in the suit. Filed on February 20 by his attorney, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), the former governor is also seeking a declaration that a raid conducted by ICPC agents and police at his Abuja residence on February 19 violated his fundamental rights.
He alleges that the officers invaded his home, infringing on his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. Additionally, he requests that any evidence gathered during the raid be deemed inadmissible and that all seized items be returned, accompanied by a complete inventory.
Along with these demands, El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages.
