The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of blocking its leaders from visiting former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is currently in custody in Abuja. The party claims that a delegation, including National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola and Policy Committee Secretary Salihu Lukman, was denied access to El-Rufai at the ICPC headquarters without any explanation on Friday. The ADC also reported that the situation escalated when three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility, creating a tense security environment. The party described the deployment as unnecessary and suggested it was meant to intimidate or deter public scrutiny over El-Rufai’s detention.
The ADC stated that it had previously written to ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu, formally requesting permission to visit El-Rufai. This followed concerns raised by his family, particularly his wife, Asia El-Rufai, who alleged that her husband was denied access to his doctor and that she was prevented from bringing food to him while in custody. The ADC emphasized that El-Rufai is not a fugitive and had voluntarily surrendered to authorities, contradicting any narrative of evasion or resistance. The party insists that the current situation reflects an attempt to isolate and intimidate a prominent opposition figure through prolonged detention and restricted access.
In a statement released by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC warned that the actions of the ICPC appear to be part of a broader pattern of “punishment by process, intimidation through isolation, and an attempt to break the spirit of a leading opposition figure.” The party stressed that Nigeria and the international community are closely observing the developments surrounding El-Rufai’s detention. It called on the ICPC to immediately grant El-Rufai access to his family, legal counsel, medical personnel, and party leaders, as a matter of basic human rights and due process.
The ADC’s concerns come amid heightened political tensions in Nigeria, with opposition parties increasingly vocal about what they see as selective enforcement and political targeting. While the ICPC has denied the allegations of mistreatment and affirmed that procedures are being followed, the ADC maintains that transparency and accountability must be upheld. The party’s demands reflect growing pressure on Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies to operate with fairness and impartiality, especially when high-profile political figures are involved. As the situation unfolds, public attention remains fixed on how the ICPC will respond to these mounting calls for access and transparency.
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