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 guided strictly by the law and not politics.
The commission’s reaction followed the announcement by the El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) 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, 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 and will continue to carry out our functions within the confines of the law. He is in our custody by court remand,” he said.
Odey dismissed claims that the anti-corruption agency was being used for political purposes.
“The ICPC is not political. It has never been and never will be. It is an anti-corruption law enforcement agency guided by its Act. We do not politicise our issues, nor do we prosecute on the basis of political affiliations,” he added.
Earlier, ERSGA announced the engagement of Vanguard Africa to coordinate outreach to officials of the United States administration, members of Congress, relevant agencies, pro-democracy institutions and multilateral stakeholders.
According to the association, the campaign is focused on the case of El-Rufai, whom it described as a reformer and senior statesman with decades of public service.
ERSGA maintained that El-Rufai is innocent and alleged procedural irregularities in his detention and prosecution.
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,” he said.
The association said it viewed the case as a test of the impartiality of Nigeria’s institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections and warned that using legal mechanisms to sideline opposition figures could undermine free and credible democratic competition.
It called on the United States government, international democratic institutions and civil society organisations to monitor developments in Nigeria and defend due process, judicial independence and democratic principles.
El-Rufai is being prosecuted by the ICPC over allegations of abuse of office, financial impropriety and fraud during his tenure as governor. He is also facing prosecution by the Department of State Services over the alleged wiretapping of communications involving the National Security Adviser.
