ICPC, El-Rufai’s wife clash over N2bn defamation suit

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said it has yet to receive the N2bn pre-action notice filed by Aichatou El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged defamatory statements made against her by the anti-graft agency.

Aichatou, through her legal representatives, issued the pre-action notice to the Chairman of the ICPC following the publication of a press statement titled, “Clarification on the Access Control Protocol at ICPC Headquarters, Abuja,” released on May 18, 2026.

According to the notice, the lawyers argued that portions of the statement, which was read by ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, were defamatory and had caused significant harm to her reputation.

But reacting in a phone interview with Sunday PidomNigeria, Odey said he had yet to receive details of the suit.

“I have not seen it but I will confirm on Monday and get back to you,” he said.

The legal team specifically faulted the commission’s description of Aichatou as “a woman who identified herself as the wife of a defendant,” arguing that the wording cast doubt on her status as the lawful spouse of the former governor.

The lawyers further contended that the commission’s assertion that her earlier claims were “false and misleading” portrayed her as dishonest and deceptive, thereby damaging her public image.

They also challenged allegations that she violated visitation procedures at the commission’s headquarters, insisting that such claims painted her as a person who disregards institutional protocols.

In addition, the notice objected to sections of the statement which, according to the lawyers, suggested that Mrs El-Rufai contradicted herself regarding claims that her husband was denied food while in custody.

The legal team argued that the remarks undermined her credibility and integrity and unfairly portrayed her actions as an attempt to create a media spectacle in order to circumvent official procedures.

According to the notice, the publication had been widely circulated across local and international media platforms, exposing Mrs El-Rufai to ridicule, embarrassment and reputational damage.

Her lawyers described her as a woman of “unblemished character” and accused the anti-corruption agency of using its official platform to unfairly target a private citizen.

Among the demands made by the legal team were an immediate retraction of the statements and a public apology to Mrs El-Rufai to be published in at least three national newspapers and circulated on the commission’s digital and social media platforms.

The notice also sought N2bn in general, aggravated and exemplary damages over the alleged harm caused by the publication.

The lawyers further demanded a written undertaking from the commission assuring that no similar statements would be made against Mrs El-Rufai in the future.

The ICPC was given 14 days to comply with the demands, failing which the legal team said it would commence legal proceedings against the commission.