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 other officials over what he described as his unlawful arrest, detention, and the publication of false statements against him.
El-Rufai, alongside members of his family, made the demand through a legal notice issued by his lawyers following claims by the anti-corruption agency that “wiretapping equipment” was discovered at the former governor’s residence.
In the letter dated March 4, 2026, El-Rufai’s legal team described a press statement released by the ICPC on March 2, 2026, as defamatory and misleading. According to the lawyers, the statement not only misrepresented the situation but also caused serious reputational damage to the former governor.
The legal notice accused the commission of violating El-Rufai’s fundamental rights through its actions, including his arrest and detention. It also outlined several financial demands as compensation for the alleged damage caused.
According to the notice, El-Rufai is seeking N5 billion as compensatory damages for the harm he claims to have suffered. Another N5 billion is being demanded as exemplary and punitive damages, which his legal team says are intended to discourage similar actions by government agencies in the future.
Additionally, the former governor is demanding N5 billion as aggravated damages. His lawyers are also seeking N500 million for injurious falsehood and N100 million to cover legal expenses. Altogether, the claims amount to N15.6 billion.
El-Rufai’s lawyers gave the ICPC a 24-hour ultimatum to meet the demands, warning that failure to comply would lead to further legal action.
They also revealed a series of legal steps being considered if the dispute is not resolved. These include filing contempt proceedings against the ICPC chairman at the Federal High Court, accelerating pending fundamental rights enforcement and bail applications at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, and instituting civil suits for malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, defamation, and abuse of office.
Furthermore, the legal team threatened to report the alleged forgery of a remand order used in the criminal investigation. They also plan to petition the Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Commission for disciplinary action against the magistrate involved and to file a complaint before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights over alleged violations of El-Rufai’s fundamental rights.
