ICPC denied our leaders access to El-Rufai – ADC 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has claimed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) denied its leaders access to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Friday by Bolaji Abdullahi, its Spokesman, the party said a delegation comprising its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; and Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, was refused permission to see El-Rufai despite prior communication with the anti-graft agency.

El-Rufai is facing trying times due to multiple legal battles, investigations, and arrests involving both state and federal anti-graft and security agencies.

His ongoing ordeals revolves around alleged massive financial misappropriation and severe national security breaches.

The ADC alleged that tension rose at the ICPC premises after “three truckloads of armed police officers” arrived while the delegation awaited a response to its request.

The party described the deployment as “unnecessary and disproportionate,” insisting that its officials were unarmed and peaceful.

According to the statement, the ADC had earlier written to ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting visitation rights for El-Rufai amid concerns raised by his family over alleged restrictions on access to doctors and food.

“It is deeply troubling that a simple request by senior party officials to visit a detained colleague was met, not with professionalism, but with a show of force,” the statement said.

The opposition party further alleged that state institutions were being used to intimidate dissenting voices, warning that the continued denial of access would reinforce public perception of political persecution.

The ADC maintained that El-Rufai voluntarily submitted himself to authorities and was entitled to dignity, medical care, family access and fair treatment under the law.

The party demanded that the ICPC grant unrestricted access to El-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers and political associates.