The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of obstructing access to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, after senior party leaders were denied permission to see him at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The party also alleged that heavily armed security operatives were deployed around the premises during the visit by its delegation.
Aregbesola, ADC Leaders Denied Access
In a statement issued on Friday by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said its delegation included former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and Mallam Salihu Lukman.
According to the statement, the delegation had visited the ICPC headquarters in Abuja to seek access to El-Rufai but was denied entry despite prior communication with the agency.
“Earlier today, alongside the National Secretary of our party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, we visited the headquarters of the ICPC in Abuja to see Mallam El-Rufai. Despite prior communication and formal requests, we were denied access without any reasonable explanation,” the party said.
ADC Alleges Intimidation
The party further claimed the atmosphere around the ICPC office became tense after several truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the premises.
According to the ADC, the deployment created the impression that authorities were attempting to intimidate opposition figures.
“It is deeply troubling that a simple request by senior party officials to visit a detained colleague was met, not with professionalism, but with a show of force,” the statement added.
The party accused state institutions of increasingly being used as tools for political pressure against opposition voices.
ICPC Responds
Reacting to the allegation, ICPC spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, said the court order regarding access to El-Rufai only covered family members, lawyers and doctors.
“Court order for access to the defendant in our custody is for family members, lawyers and doctors,” he said.
The Commission also questioned the ADC’s standing regarding visitation rights.
“Within this context, please what is the ADC?” he added.
Court Had Granted Bail
El-Rufai is currently under investigation by the anti-corruption agency over allegations yet to be fully disclosed publicly.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier granted him bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like sum.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the surety must own property in Maitama or Asokoro and meet other conditions, including proof of federal civil service status and salary records.
The former governor’s detention has continued to generate political reactions, with opposition figures accusing the government of targeting dissenting voices.