Lawyers to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai have accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of spreading unverified allegations linking their client to multi-billion-naira properties in Egypt.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Esop Akpan, described the claims as politically motivated and lacking verifiable evidence.
According to the lawyer, the allegations were based on anonymous “leaks” and were being circulated to justify what he called the unlawful detention of the former governor.
Akpan alleged that El-Rufai voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, where he was granted administrative bail before being taken into custody two days later by operatives allegedly acting under the direction of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The legal team further claimed that El-Rufai has remained in detention since February 18 without being formally charged in court, arguing that the situation violates Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees personal liberty and requires suspects to be brought before a court within a reasonable time.
Akpan also questioned the validity of a remand order reportedly issued on February 19, claiming it expired on March 4 and was never served on the defence team.
The lawyer added that criminal complaint proceedings have been initiated against the ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, the DSS Director-General, and other officials, alleging abuse of power and violations of fundamental rights.
El-Rufai’s legal team is demanding his immediate release or arraignment before a competent court.
