FORMER ESPN ANCHOR SAGE STEELE APOLOGIZED TO HER KIDS BEFORE SUING NETWORK. (PHOTO).
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) attempted to force him to abandon political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections as a condition for his release from detention.
The claim is detailed in a 30-page criminal complaint filed in court, where El-Rufai accused ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, along with four other officials.
According to the court filing, El-Rufai stated that while in detention, ICPC operatives allegedly acting on instructions from senior leadership told him his freedom depended on withdrawing from political activities.
In Paragraph 12 of the document, he claimed officers made it clear that disengaging from politics was the price for his release.
Further details in the supporting affidavit (Paragraphs 22–24) allege that he was repeatedly warned he would remain detained if he continued his political involvement, but would regain freedom if he agreed to step away.
This allegation forms part of Count Six in the suit, where El-Rufai accuses the officials of wrongful confinement intended to compel him an offence under relevant sections of the Penal Code.
He is asking the court to investigate what he described as an abuse of power and an attempt to deny him his constitutional right to participate in politics.
As of now, the ICPC has not issued an official response.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the case to March 25, 2026.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik postponed proceedings to allow all parties to complete their filings.
El-Rufai is seeking ₦1 billion in damages in the suit, which names the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Federal Ministry of Justice as respondents.
In the case, filed on February 20 by his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), the former governor is also asking the court to declare that a raid on his Abuja residence by ICPC operatives and police violated his fundamental rights.
He alleged that officers stormed his home on February 19, breaching his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy under the Nigerian Constitution. He is further requesting that any evidence obtained during the search be declared inadmissible, and that all seized items be returned with a full inventory.
In addition to these requests, El-Rufai is demanding ₦1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages.
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