ICPC bars ADC from visiting detained El-Rufai

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has informed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that it cannot grant its delegation access to Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state who is currently in its custody.

This was contained in a letter issued by the commission and addressed to Rauf Aregbesola, the national secretary of the ADC following a request by the party to visit the detained former governor.

The letter, signed on behalf of Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), the ICPC chairman stated that El-Rufai is currently standing trial before the Kaduna state high court and the federal high court sitting in Kaduna.

The commission explained that although the defendant is in its custody by court order, access to him is strictly regulated by judicial directives.

According to the ICPC, only specific categories of persons are permitted to visit him, including his family members, legal representatives, and medical personnel.

It added that the request by the ADC could not be approved because it falls outside the approved categories of visitation.

The letter further noted that the courts handling the matter have already defined the conditions under which access to the defendant may be granted.

The development comes amid complaints from the ADC that its delegation was earlier denied access to the former governor during a visit to the ICPC facility.

The party had alleged undue restrictions and heightened security presence during the attempted visit, which it described as concerning.

However, the ICPC maintained that it is acting strictly within legal and judicial guidelines in managing access to persons in its custody.

The commission has not issued any further statement beyond the contents of the letter.