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 political activities as a condition for his release from detention.
The allegation appears in a 30-page criminal complaint filed by El-Rufai against ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu and four other agency officials. According to the filing, El-Rufai was reportedly told during his detention that he could only regain his freedom if he ceased all political engagement.
In Paragraph 12 of the complaint, the former governor described the directive as an infringement on his constitutional rights. His legal team further elaborated in Paragraphs 22 to 24 of the supporting affidavit that he was repeatedly warned that continuing political activity could prolong his detention, and only a pledge to withdraw from politics would secure his release.
The allegation forms the basis of Count Six in the complaint, which charges the ICPC officials with wrongful confinement with intent to compel, citing Sections 264 and 267 of the Penal Code. El-Rufai is urging the court to scrutinize the conduct of the ICPC officials, describing their alleged actions as an abuse of office and an unlawful attempt to curtail his political participation.
The ICPC has yet to issue a public response to the claims.
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