A legal representative of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai, has criticised the actions of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing the anti-corruption agency of targeting his client for political reasons.
The lawyer, Ubong Esop Akpan, made the allegation in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday. His reaction followed reports suggesting that the former governor allegedly owns properties in Cairo worth billions of naira.
Akpan dismissed the claims, describing them as unverified leaks from anonymous sources. According to him, the reports lack credible evidence and appear to be part of an attempt to justify what he called the unlawful detention of his client.
The lawyer argued that the information circulating in some media outlets was intended to damage El-Rufai’s reputation and influence public opinion.
Akpan further stated that the former governor has been in custody since February 18, 2026. He claimed that operatives allegedly acting under the direction of the Department of State Services (DSS) took El-Rufai from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the lawyer, El-Rufai had voluntarily appeared before the EFCC on February 16 and was later granted administrative bail before being transferred to the ICPC.
He also argued that the continued detention violates provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which requires suspects to be brought before a court within a reasonable period.
Akpan questioned the legality of a reported 14-day remand order said to have been issued by a magistrate court, insisting that the order had expired and was not properly served on his client or his legal team.
The lawyer added that El-Rufai has repeatedly challenged the anti-corruption agency to file formal charges if evidence exists.
He also disclosed that the legal team has begun filing criminal complaints against officials of the ICPC whom they believe are responsible for the alleged unlawful detention.
