The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been accused of descending into a tool of political vendetta, according to a statement by counsel to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Ubong Esop Akpan, Esq.

The statement alleges the ICPC has held El-Rufai hostage for over 20 days without charge, contravening Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, after he voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026. El-Rufai was subsequently transferred to ICPC custody and has been detained despite being granted administrative bail.

The ICPC has been accused of:
– Unlawful detention and hostage-taking
– Prosecutorial misconduct
– Violations of fundamental rights
– State-sponsored extortion and abuse of power

The statement claims the ICPC’s actions are “grave offences under the Penal Code” and demands El-Rufai’s immediate release or arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The ICPC has made allegations of multi-billion naira properties in Egypt linked to El-Rufai, but the statement describes these as “baseless, anonymous ‘leaks'” and a “desperate smear campaign”. The statement also questions the validity of a 14-day remand order issued by a magistrate court, citing lack of jurisdiction and failure to serve the order on El-Rufai or his counsel.

The ICPC has been accused of attempting to coerce El-Rufai into abandoning his constitutional rights to political participation, with threats of prolonged detention. The statement warns that the ICPC’s actions are a “mortal blow to Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law”.

The counsel has initiated criminal complaint proceedings against ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, and other implicated officers, seeking their personal accountability for the alleged crimes.

The statement concludes by demanding El-Rufai’s immediate release or arraignment, citing the absence of evidence and the ICPC’s resort to “malicious leaks” as proof of a politically motivated witch-hunt.