- A group supporting Nasir El-Rufai has hired a US-based firm to advocate on his ongoing ICPC trial
- The group claims the case raises concerns about due process and Nigeria’s democratic institutions
- El-Rufai denies the allegations, while the ICPC insists the prosecution is lawful
A pro-Nasir El-Rufai group has enlisted a United States-based advocacy organisation to mount an international campaign concerning the ongoing corruption case involving the former Kaduna State governor and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The group, known as the El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA), said it has appointed Vanguard Africa, a Washington D.C.-based advocacy firm, to interface with global policymakers, democracy advocates and other international stakeholders on the matter, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the group’s Director of Strategic Partnership, Mohammed Salihu, the association expressed concern over what it described as delays in the legal process and prolonged detention of El-Rufai.
According to the group, the situation raises questions about due process and the independence of Nigeria’s institutions, warning that it could have wider implications for the country’s democracy.
Salihu stated that the treatment of the former governor reflects a broader challenge facing democratic governance in Nigeria, rather than an isolated incident.
He further argued that the international community should take an active interest where there are concerns about fairness and adherence to legal procedures.
The group said its planned advocacy drive will include engagement with United States government officials, members of Congress, pro-democracy organisations, and international multilateral bodies.
ERSGA maintained that El-Rufai remains innocent of the allegations against him, describing the ongoing proceedings as a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It also called on foreign governments, civil society organisations, and democratic institutions to closely monitor the case and support efforts aimed at safeguarding judicial independence and democratic freedoms.
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since February over allegations relating to financial misconduct during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
He was earlier indicted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2024 over alleged diversion of ₦423 billion in public funds and money laundering claims, and later arraigned before a Kaduna High Court on a revised nine-count charge bordering on fraud and abuse of office.
The ICPC has, however, denied any breach of rights, insisting that all actions taken in the case are within the provisions of the law.
