Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has demanded N15.6 billion in damages from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), its Chairman, and several officers over what he described as unlawful arrest, detention, and defamatory public statements.
In a formal legal notice dated March 4, 2026, El-Rufai’s legal team accused the anti-corruption commission of violating his fundamental rights and damaging his reputation through a press statement issued on March 2, 2026.
The ICPC had earlier claimed that “wiretapping equipment” was discovered in the former governor’s residence, a statement El-Rufai’s lawyers described as false, misleading, and defamatory.
According to the legal team, the commission’s public statements caused serious reputational harm to the former governor and his family.
Breakdown of the N15.6 Billion Claim
The legal notice outlines the following demands:
• N5 billion as compensatory damages
• N5 billion as exemplary and punitive damages meant to deter similar conduct
• N5 billion as aggravated damages
• N500 million for injurious falsehood
• N100 million as the cost of legal action
The total claim amounts to N15.6 billion.
El-Rufai’s lawyers have given the commission 24 hours to comply with the demands, warning that failure to do so would trigger a series of legal actions.
These include:
• Contempt proceedings against the ICPC Chairman at the Federal High Court of Nigeria
• Acceleration of fundamental rights enforcement and bail applications at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory
• Filing civil suits for malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, defamation, and abuse of office
The legal team also alleged that a remand order used for El-Rufai’s detention may have been forged.
They threatened to:
• Report the alleged forgery for criminal investigation
• Petition the FCT Judicial Service Commission for disciplinary action against the magistrate involved
• File a complaint before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights over alleged violations of his fundamental rights
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC has not issued an official response to the demands.
The development is expected to spark significant legal and political debate, particularly concerning the powers of anti-corruption agencies and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.
— Reported by Chronicles Reporters