Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai Sues ICPC For Two Billion Naira Over Alleged Unlawful Detention

Nasir El-Rufai challenges ICPC detention in court, alleging forum shopping and seeking N2 billion in damages for violation of fundamental rights.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 6:19 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Newsdiaryonline

Legal Challenge Mounts Against Anti-Graft Agency Tactics

The legal representatives of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El‑Rufai have formally challenged his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). In a detailed protest letter dated March 6, 2026, lead counsel Ubong Esop Akpan accused the commission of a gross abuse of the judicial process. The defense team argues that the agency purposefully misrepresented facts to secure a remand order, characterizing the commission's actions as an oppressive abuse of state power. This confrontation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing friction between the former governor and federal anti-corruption authorities.

Jurisdictional Disputes and Allegations of Forum Shopping

A central pillar of El-Rufai's legal challenge is the assertion that the ICPC deliberately approached a court lacking the necessary jurisdiction. Akpan contended that the allegations involve money laundering, which falls strictly under the purview of the Federal High Court. By seeking a remand order from a Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari, the defense alleges the commission engaged in "forum shopping" to bypass higher judicial standards. According to the defense filing, this was not a procedural error but a calculated attempt to obtain a detention warrant from an inferior court that could not be lawfully granted by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Remand Order Expiration and Due Process Failures

The defense team has raised serious concerns regarding the timeline of the former governor's incarceration and the lack of formal charges. The original 14-day remand order, obtained on February 19, 2026, reportedly expired on March 4 without any criminal charges being filed. Akpan argued that if probable cause existed, the commission would have proceeded to a formal arraignment. Furthermore, the legal team alleged that they were never served with the original warrant, a failure they describe as a violation of the constitutional right to a fair hearing. They further accused the commission of providing false information to the court regarding the service of these legal documents.