Aichatou El-Rufai Seeks N2bn Damages From ICPC Chairman Over Alleged Defamatory Remarks
Aichatou El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has threatened to sue the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over statements she described as defamatory in a recent press release issued by the agency.
In a pre-action notice sent to the ICPC chairman through her lawyers, Mrs. El-Rufai challenged a statement titled “Clarification on the Access Control Protocol at ICPC Headquarters, Abuja,” released on May 18, 2026.
Her legal team argued that the statement, delivered by the commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, questioned her status as the lawful wife of the former governor and portrayed her negatively before the public.
According to the lawyers, the commission’s claim that her allegations were “false and misleading” painted her as dishonest and manipulative.
They also objected to the description of her as “a woman who identified herself as the wife of a defendant,” saying it cast doubt on her marital status.
The lawyers further criticised claims that she had exceeded approved visiting hours at the commission’s facility, arguing that it wrongly portrayed her as someone who disregards institutional rules.
They also maintained that parts of the statement suggested Mrs. El-Rufai contradicted herself over allegations that her husband was denied food while in custody, thereby damaging her credibility.
In addition, the legal team accused the ICPC of implying that she staged a media scene to bypass official procedures, describing the allegation as malicious and defamatory.
Mrs. El-Rufai’s lawyers said the publication had circulated widely both within and outside Nigeria, exposing her to public ridicule and embarrassment.
They described her as “a woman of unblemished character” and accused the commission of using state power to humiliate a private citizen.
The team demanded an immediate retraction and public apology to be published in at least three national newspapers and on the commission’s digital platforms.
They are also demanding N2 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages, along with a written assurance that similar statements would not be made in the future.
The ICPC was given 14 days to comply with the demands or face legal action.
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