The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of denying party leaders access to former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who is currently in the Commission’s custody.
In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that a delegation comprising the party’s National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Secretary of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, Mallam Salihu Lukman, was refused access to El-Rufai during a visit to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja.
The party further claimed that the atmosphere at the Commission became tense following the arrival of three truckloads of armed police officers while the delegation awaited a response to its request.
According to the ADC, the heavy security presence appeared unnecessary, insisting that the delegation was peaceful and unarmed.
The party said it had earlier written to the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting visitation rights for El-Rufai amid concerns raised by his family over alleged restrictions on access to doctors, food, and relatives.
The ADC also referenced allegations by El-Rufai’s wife, Hajiya Asia El-Rufai, who reportedly claimed that she was prevented from delivering food to her husband and that access to his doctor had been denied.
While noting that the ICPC had denied the allegations and maintained that due procedures were followed, the ADC argued that continued restrictions on access to the former governor were raising concerns about the nature of his detention.
The party maintained that El-Rufai voluntarily submitted himself to authorities and is entitled to fair treatment, medical care, and access to family members and legal representatives under the law.
ADC warned against what it described as the use of state institutions to intimidate opposition figures, insisting that Nigerians and the international community were closely monitoring developments.
The party demanded immediate and unrestricted access to El-Rufai by his family, lawyers, doctors, and political associates.
