Dare Babalola
The family of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is launching a smear campaign against him.
In a statement issued Monday by a member of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family alleged that authorities are “weaponising” El-Rufai’s constitutional right to silence.
Bello El-Rufai described as “deeply unfortunate” the allegations against his father, stating that ICPC “descended into what can only be described as a circus of chicanery”.
He accused the Commission of wading into a media war instead of upholding the rule of law.
“Our father has consistently told law enforcement agencies: ‘Charge me if you have anything against me. You have had more than two years to investigate me. Take me to court,’” the statement said.
It added that the ICPC’s inability to do so explained what the family described as “lies and obfuscation”.
On 19 February, the commission said it obtained a remand order from a Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, permitting it to detain Mr El-Rufai for 14 days pending investigation into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.
The order, granted by Magistrate Okechukwu Akweke, directed that he be kept in ICPC custody for 14 days, with a return date in March for a report.
The commission told the High Court that the remand order will expire on 5 March and that it intends to file charges before then.
In its filing against El-Rufai, the ICPC argued that inviting and detaining a suspect based on reasonable suspicion does not amount to a breach of fundamental rights.
It relied on constitutional provisions and the ICPC Act to support its position that it has the authority to investigate allegations of corruption and, where necessary, detain a suspect in line with the law.
