ICPC defends El-Rufai’s detention, dismisses U.S. lobbying move

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has defended the detention and prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that its actions are guided strictly by the law and not political considerations.

The commission also said it was unperturbed by the decision of El-Rufai’s supporters to engage a United States-based lobbying firm to campaign against what they described as his prolonged detention.

The El-Rufai Support Group Association on Wednesday confirmed that it had hired Vanguard Africa, a Washington, D.C.-based international advocacy firm, to spearhead a campaign drawing attention to what it termed the erosion of the rule of law and abuse of due process in Nigeria.

Reacting to the development in an interview with The Punch on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, said the anti-corruption agency was not concerned by the group’s move to seek international support.

“We are not moved. We operate within the confines of the law. The ICPC is not moved at all,” Odey said.

According to him, the commission’s actions are backed by lawful court orders.

“We operate within the confines of the law and will continue to carry out our functions within the confines of the law. We are not detaining him on our own. We are following lawful orders.

“He is in our custody by court remand. So, we don’t have any issues with that.

“It’s a free world, it’s a free society, but people must operate within the confines of the law,” he added.

Mr Odey also rejected allegations that the commission was being used as a tool for political persecution.

“The ICPC is not political. It has never been and never will be. The ICPC is an anti-corruption law enforcement agency. We have an Act that guides our operations,” he said.

He maintained that the commission prosecutes individuals solely on the basis of alleged violations of the law, regardless of their status or political affiliation.

“If there are infractions that fall within our Act and we charge you to court, it doesn’t matter whether you are a clerk in a government agency, a private contractor who has contravened the laws, or a political figure. It is immaterial.

“We do not politicise our issues, nor do we prosecute on the basis of political affiliations. The ICPC is not a political party and does not have any political affiliations,” Mr Odey stated.