Former 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 some officials over his arrest, detention, and what they described as defamatory statements made against him.
The demand follows claims by the anti-corruption 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 as misleading and defamatory, arguing that it caused serious reputational damage to the former Kaduna State governor.
According to the legal notice, the damages being sought include N5 billion as compensatory damages, N5 billion as exemplary and punitive damages meant to discourage similar conduct, and another N5 billion as aggravated damages.
The lawyers are also demanding N500 million for injurious falsehood and N100 million to cover legal expenses, bringing the total claim to N15.6 billion.
The legal team gave the commission 24 hours to meet the demands, warning that failure to comply would lead to further legal action.
They stated that planned steps include filing contempt proceedings against the ICPC chairman at the Federal High Court, fast-tracking 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 tied to the 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.
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