The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, of denying members access to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in their custody at their headquarters in Abuja.

ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Friday, alleged that party leaders, on Friday, were still waiting to be granted access to Mr El-Rufai, when three trucks filled with police officers stormed the ICPC premises.

Mr Abdullahi said, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to express its concern over the refusal of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to grant senior leaders of our party access to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State and a prominent leader of our party, who remains in the custody of the Commission.

“Earlier today, alongside the National Secretary of our party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, we visited the headquarters of the ICPC in Abuja to see Mallam El-Rufai. Despite prior communication and formal requests, we were denied access without any reasonable explanation.

“While we were at the premises awaiting a response to our request, the atmosphere suddenly became noticeably tense after no fewer than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility. The heavy deployment, which appeared entirely unnecessary and disproportionate to the peaceful presence of unarmed political leaders, created the unmistakable impression that the authorities feared that the mere presence of opposition leaders at the Commission could trigger public outrage.”

Condemning the ICPC for not responding to the simple request with professionalism, but with “A show of force more suited to the suppression of civil unrest,” Mr Abdullahi clarified that, “at no point did members of our delegation threaten disorder, incite confrontation, or mobilise supporters to the premises.”

Mr Abdullahi stated that the action by the ICPC suggested panic, fear, and an attempt to intimidate ADC leaders and other Nigerian who may dare to question the treatment being meted out to opposition figures.

“Such actions only reinforce growing public concern that state institutions are increasingly being used, not merely for law enforcement, but as instruments of political pressure and psychological intimidation against dissenting voices,” Mr Abdullahi noted.

The party spokesperson disclosed that Mr Aregbesola had previously written officially to the ICPC chairman, Musa Aliyu, requesting visitation rights to Mr El-Rufai, especially in light of growing public concerns regarding his well-being and reports that he has faced repeated restrictions on access to family members and medical personnel.

He reminded the anti-corruption agency that Mr El-Rufai is not a fugitive, and that he voluntarily turned himself in, adding that he is entitled to dignity, medical care, family access, and fair treatment under the law. 

He described the former governor’s detention as “Punishment by process, intimidation through isolation, and an attempt to break the spirit of a leading opposition figure,” warning that the ADC will not stand by and watch one of its leaders subjected to such harassment and calculated humiliation.

“Nigeria is watching. The international community is watching. The world is watching. We therefore demand that the ICPC immediately grant unrestricted access to Mallam El-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of his political party. Anything short of this will only reinforce public perception that state institutions are being weaponised against opposition voices.”

ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, in response to the allegation, told Peoples Gazette that the ADC leaders are aware that their written application to visit Mr El-Rufai was rejected, citing a court order approving visitations only by the former governor’s family members, lawyers and doctors.

Mr Odey said, “It is contained in the letter we wrote them refusing their request to visit. The court order for access to the defendant in our custody is for family members, lawyers and doctors. Within this context, please what is the ADC?”