The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it denied a request by leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to visit former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, based on an existing court order restricting access to persons in its custody.
The clarification followed allegations by the ADC that its officials were denied access to see El-Rufai at the commission’s detention facility in Abuja on Friday and were intimidated by a heavy deployment of security personnel.
GUARDIAN reported that El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19 over allegations of financial impropriety linked to his tenure as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023.
The former governor was earlier indicted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2024 over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and alleged money laundering, with lawmakers calling for investigations by anti-corruption agencies.
He was later arraigned by the ICPC before the Kaduna High Court on April 13, 2026, on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.
The ADC had said a delegation led by former Osun State governor and party National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, alongside Salihu Lukman, secretary of the party’s policy and manifesto committee, was prevented from seeing El-Rufai despite prior communication with the commission.
According to the party, the situation became tense after several truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the premises.
However, ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, dismissed the claims, stating that the commission had formally communicated its decision to the party in a letter dated May 21, 2026.
“We wrote them an official letter declining their request to visit. The reasons are in the letter. The category of persons we are to give access is clear in the court order,” Odey said.
In the letter signed by S. Yahaya, Director of Operations, the commission said El-Rufai remains before both the Kaduna State High Court and the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
“The court has granted access to the defendant to his family, doctors and counsel,” the letter stated.
“These are the only category of persons granted access to see the defendant in the Commission’s custody. Consequently, the application cannot be granted.”
