Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and members of his family have asked for N15.6 billion in damages from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), its chairman, and some officials over his arrest and detention.
The demand also relates to what the former governor described as false public statements made against him.
The issue followed claims by the ICPC that “wiretapping equipment” was found at El-Rufai’s residence.
In a letter dated March 4, 2026, the former governor’s lawyers said a press statement released by the commission on March 2, 2026 was defamatory and misleading. They argued that the statement caused serious damage to El-Rufai’s reputation.
In the legal notice, El-Rufai accused the commission of actions that allegedly violated his fundamental rights and demanded compensation.
The breakdown of the claim includes N5 billion as compensatory damages, N5 billion as exemplary and punitive damages meant to discourage similar actions, and another N5 billion as aggravated damages.
The notice also seeks N500 million for injurious falsehood and N100 million to cover legal expenses, bringing the total demand to N15.6 billion.
The legal team gave the commission 24 hours to meet the demands. They warned that failure to do so would lead to further legal steps.
According to the notice, the planned actions include filing contempt proceedings against the ICPC chairman at the Federal High Court, speeding up pending fundamental rights and bail applications at the FCT High Court, and starting civil cases for malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, defamation, and abuse of office.
The lawyers also said they may report the alleged forgery of a remand order for criminal investigation, petition the FCT Judicial Service Commission for disciplinary action against the magistrate involved, and submit a complaint to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights over the alleged violation of El-Rufai’s rights.
