The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has defended the detention and prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, maintaining that its actions are based strictly on the law and not political considerations.
The commission’s position comes after the El-Rufai Support Group Association announced that it had hired Vanguard Africa, a Washington DC-based advocacy firm, to spearhead an international campaign over what it described as growing violations of due process and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Reacting to the development on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said the anti-graft agency was not concerned about the group’s move to seek international support.
“We are not moved. We operate within the confines of the law and will continue to do so. El-Rufai is not being detained arbitrarily. He is in our custody based on a court remand order,” Odey said.
He stressed that Nigerians are free to pursue lawful channels to express their views but insisted that all parties must respect the law.
Odey also rejected suggestions that the commission was acting on political instructions, insisting that the ICPC remains non-partisan.
“The ICPC is not political. It has never been and never will be. We are an anti-corruption agency guided by our Act. Whether the individual involved is a civil servant, contractor, or political figure is immaterial.
“We do not prosecute people because of their political affiliations. The commission has no political agenda,” he stated.
Earlier, the El-Rufai Support Group Association disclosed that it had retained Vanguard Africa to engage officials of the United States government, members of Congress, pro-democracy organisations and multilateral institutions over what it called concerns about the treatment of the former governor.
According to the group, regulatory filings published by the US Department of State showed that Vanguard Africa would coordinate advocacy efforts on its behalf.
The association described El-Rufai as a respected reformer and statesman with decades of public service and argued that his continued detention since February reflected broader concerns about democratic governance in Nigeria.
“Nasir El-Rufai is an accomplished reformer and senior statesman with decades of public service. We reject the allegations against him and maintain his innocence.
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“The treatment of Governor El-Rufai is not an isolated case but a symptom of a deeper crisis threatening Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” the group said.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Mohammed Salihu said the international campaign was aimed at drawing attention to what he described as the weaponisation of due process for political purposes.
“We are bringing these concerns to Washington because the international community has both the standing and the responsibility to speak out when due process is being undermined,” he said.
The group further argued that the case could affect confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the use of legal processes against opposition figures could weaken political competition.
It called on the United States government, international organisations and civil society groups to monitor developments in Nigeria and defend judicial independence and democratic principles.
El-Rufai is currently facing charges brought by the ICPC over alleged abuse of office, financial misconduct and fraud during his time as governor of Kaduna State.
He is also being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over allegations relating to the illegal interception of communications involving the Office of the National Security Adviser.
