- Counsel to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Mr. Ubong Akpan, has accused the ICPC of a “dishonest and borderline criminal” misuse of the judicial system following the governor’s 15-day detention without a formal charge.
- The legal team alleges that the commission engaged in “forum shopping” by obtaining a remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari for money laundering offenses, a matter they argue falls strictly under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
- The defense is demanding El-Rufai’s immediate release, a public apology in three national newspapers, and N2 billion in damages for what they describe as a distinct tort of false imprisonment.
The legal battle surrounding the detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, reached a boiling point on Saturday, March 7, 2026, as his defense team launched a scathing attack on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a formal letter to the ICPC Chairman, lead counsel Ubong Akpan described the agency’s actions as an “absolute disgrace” to the legal profession, alleging that the commission has held El-Rufai in custody well beyond the legal limits of its initial remand order.
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According to the defense, the ICPC obtained a 14-day remand order on February 19, 2026, which expired on March 4. Akpan argued that every hour El-Rufai remains in custody past that date constitutes unlawful detention and a fundamental violation of his constitutional rights.
The legal team specifically accused the commission of perjury and “fraudulent representations,” claiming that officers swore to false affidavits promising to charge the former governor to court immediately upon the conclusion of investigations, an undertaking they say has been blatantly breached.
The petition further alleges that the ICPC intentionally avoided the Federal High Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over money laundering cases, in favor of a Magistrate Court in Bwari to secure the remand.
Akpan warned that his team would be lodging formal complaints with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against every lawyer in the ICPC involved in the case.
He also signaled his intent to refer the matter to the Attorney-General of the Federation for the prosecution of officers who allegedly swore to false affidavits.
As the 15th day of detention passes, the call for El-Rufai’s release has intensified, with his lawyers insisting that the ICPC Chairman will be held personally liable for the “tort of false imprisonment.”
While the ICPC has yet to release an official statement regarding the N2 billion damage claim or the allegations of jurisdictional overreach, the tension in Abuja continues to rise as the former governor remains in custody without a formal trial date.
