The African Democratic Congress has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission of preventing its leaders from visiting former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who is being held at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.
A delegation led by ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola and ADC Policy Committee Secretary Salihu Lukman visited the ICPC offices on Friday but were turned away without explanation, party National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said in a statement. The party said security at the facility became tense during the visit when no fewer than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the building.
The ADC described the heavy police deployment as unnecessary and said it suggested authorities feared public reaction to El-Rufai's detention. The party had written to ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu requesting permission to visit El-Rufai after his family raised concerns about his treatment in custody.
El-Rufai's wife, Asia El-Rufai, has alleged that her husband was denied access to his doctor and that she was prevented from bringing him food while in detention. The ICPC has denied these claims and said it followed proper procedures. The ADC insists El-Rufai is not a fugitive and that he voluntarily submitted himself to authorities.
The party said what is happening amounts to punishment by process and intimidation through isolation of a leading opposition figure. It warned that Nigeria, the international community, and the world are watching the situation unfold. The ADC demanded that the ICPC grant El-Rufai access to his family, doctors, lawyers, and party leaders.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, was picked up by ICPC operatives in recent weeks over allegations relating to his tenure as the state's chief executive.
