Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of attempting to coerce him into abandoning politics as a condition for his release from detention.
The allegation is contained in a 30-page criminal complaint filed before a court, in which El-Rufai named the ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, and four other officials as defendants.
According to the complaint, the claim is outlined in Paragraph 12, where El-Rufai alleged that ICPC officers informed him during detention that he would only regain his freedom if he ceased all political activities.
He argued that the demand amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights.
“I was informed that my release was conditional upon my withdrawal from political activities,” El-Rufai stated in the filing, describing the alleged directive as unlawful and coercive.
Further details were provided in the supporting affidavit, particularly in Paragraphs 22 to 24, where his counsel claimed the former governor was repeatedly warned that continued political engagement would prolong his detention.
“He was told in clear terms that only a commitment to abandon politics would secure his freedom,” the affidavit stated.
The allegation forms the basis of Count Six in the complaint, which accuses the officials of wrongful confinement with intent to compel an offence under Sections 264 and 267 of the Penal Code.
El-Rufai is asking the court to examine the conduct of the ICPC officials, arguing that their actions constitute an abuse of office and an unlawful attempt to restrict his participation in the political process.
El-Rufai, a prominent political figure and former governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has remained an influential voice in Nigeria’s political landscape since leaving office. His recent legal action adds to ongoing debates about the conduct of anti-corruption agencies and the protection of civil liberties in the country.
The ICPC, established to combat corruption and related offences, has often faced scrutiny over its methods, particularly in high-profile investigations involving political figures.
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC has not issued any official response to the allegations contained in the court documents. #Securitynewsalert.com
