El-rufai demands N15.6bn damages from ICPC over arrest, alleged defamation
El-rufai demands N15.6bn damages from ICPC over arrest, alleged defamation
LFormer Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and members of his family have demanded N15.6 billion in damages from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), its chairman, and other officials over his arrest, detention, and alleged defamatory statements made against him.
The demand follows claims by the anti-graft agency that “wiretapping equipment” was discovered at the former governor’s residence.
In a letter dated March 4, 2026, El-Rufai’s legal team described a press statement issued by the ICPC on March 2, 2026 as defamatory and misleading, arguing that it caused serious reputational damage to the former governor.
In the legal notice, the lawyers accused the commission of actions that allegedly violated El-Rufai’s fundamental rights, outlining several compensation demands. These include N5 billion as compensatory damages, N5 billion as exemplary and punitive damages, and N5 billion as aggravated damages.
The notice also seeks N500 million for injurious falsehood and N100 million to cover legal costs, bringing the total claim to N15.6 billion.
El-Rufai’s legal team gave the ICPC 24 hours to meet the demands, warning that failure to comply would lead to further legal action.
According to the notice, planned steps include filing contempt proceedings against the ICPC chairman at the Federal High Court, expediting pending fundamental rights enforcement and bail applications at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, and initiating civil suits for malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, defamation, and abuse of office.
The lawyers also threatened to report the alleged forgery of a remand order for criminal investigation, petition the FCT Judicial Service Commission for disciplinary action against the magistrate involved, and file a complaint before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights over alleged violations of El-Rufai’s fundamental rights.
