Counsel to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has accused the Unbiased Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC) of conducting a politically motivated marketing campaign towards his consumer and demanded his immediate release or arraignment in court docket.

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In a press release issued on Monday in Abuja, the lawyer, Ubong Esop Akpan, described allegations linking El-Rufai to multi-billion naira properties in Egypt as fabricated and half of a smear marketing campaign.

Akpan stated the claims have been based mostly on nameless leaks relatively than verifiable proof.

“The ICPC has as soon as once more uncovered its descent right into a device of political vendetta by way of the dissemination of baseless, nameless ‘leaks’ alleging multi-billion naira properties in Egypt linked to my consumer,” the lawyer stated.

He alleged that the anti-corruption company was making an attempt to justify what he referred to as the “illegal detention” of the previous governor.

“This fabricated narrative, devoid of verifiable proof and reliant on shadowy sources, will not be an investigation however a determined smear marketing campaign designed to justify the continuing illegal detention of a citizen who has dedicated no crime,” Akpan said.

In keeping with the assertion, El-Rufai had voluntarily reported to the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, the place he was granted administrative bail.

Nevertheless, Akpan claimed that operatives performing underneath the path of the Division of State Companies (DSS) later transferred him into ICPC custody on February 18.

The lawyer stated his consumer had remained in detention for greater than 20 days with out being formally charged.

“This detention contravenes Part 35 of the 1999 Structure, which mandates arraignment inside an affordable time,” he stated.

Akpan additionally argued {that a} 14-day remand order allegedly issued by a Justice of the Peace court docket on February 19 expired on March 4 and was by no means served on both El-Rufai or his authorized group.

The lawyer additional accused ICPC operatives of making an attempt to stress his consumer to withdraw from political actions.

“Operatives have failed of their makes an attempt to coerce my consumer to desert his constitutional rights to political participation, threatening extended detention except he complies,” Akpan alleged.

He added that El-Rufai had repeatedly challenged the ICPC to file expenses in court docket if proof existed towards him.

“Mallam El-Rufai has constantly challenged the ICPC to cost him in court docket if any proof exists,” he stated.

Akpan disclosed that authorized proceedings had been initiated towards the ICPC management and different officers over the matter.

“We now have initiated legal grievance proceedings towards the chairman, the DSS Director Basic, and different implicated officers, searching for their private accountability,” he stated.

He insisted that the anti-corruption company should both release El-Rufai or arraign him earlier than a reliable court docket.

“We demand the immediate release of Mallam El-Rufai or his arraignment earlier than a court docket of competent jurisdiction. Something much less is a mortal blow to Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of regulation,” Akpan added.

The ICPC had but to reply to the allegations as of the time of submitting this report.