The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has explained the reason for refusing African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders access to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The Commission spokesman, Okor Odey, told The Cable that the denial was based on an existing court order.
The ADC had on Friday accused the anti-graft agency of intimidating its leaders through heavy police deployment after being denied access to the former Kaduna governor at the detention facility in Abuja.
The national publicity secretary of ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said on Friday that a delegation of the party led by national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, secretary of the policy and manifesto committee, Salihu Lukman and others were also prevented from seeing El-Rufai.
“We had previously communicated and made formal requests, but were denied access without any reasonable explanation.
“We were at the premises waiting for a reply to our request when, all of a sudden, the atmosphere became palpably tense, after no less than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility,” reads the statement.
But Odey said the agency denied the party’s request and informed it of the decision in an official letter dated May 21, 2026, which was confirmed the next day.
We sent them an official letter rejecting their request to visit. The reasons are set out in the letter. “The court order is clear on who we are to give access to,” Odey said.
The letter signed by S. Yahaya, director of operations, said el-Rufai “is standing trial before the State High Court of Justice, Kaduna, and Federal High Court of Nigeria, both sitting in Kaduna”
“While the defendant is in the custody of the Commission pursuant to the order of both courts, the court is fully seised of the matter.
“The court has permitted the defendant to see his family, doctors and attorneys.
“These are the only class of persons allowed to see the defendant in the custody of the Commission. The application cannot, therefore, be granted.
The letter says, “Please accept the assurances of the Hon. Chairman’s best regards.”
Odey further denied the ADC’s accusation of intimidation, stating that the presence of police at the ICPC gate is part of the normal security procedure.
