Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) attempted to compel him to withdraw from political activities as a condition for his release from detention.
The allegation was contained in a 30-page criminal complaint filed by El-Rufai before a court against the ICPC chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, and four other officials of the anti-corruption agency.
According to the filing, El-Rufai claimed that officers of the commission informed him during his detention that he would only regain his freedom if he stopped participating in politics.
The claim was outlined in Paragraph 12 of the complaint, where the former governor alleged that ICPC officers, said to be acting on the authority of the commission’s chairman, told him that his release was conditional on ceasing all political activities.
El-Rufai argued that such a demand amounted to an attempt to compel him to abandon his constitutional rights.
The allegation was further detailed in the affidavit supporting the complaint, particularly in Paragraphs 22 to 24, where his counsel stated that the former governor was repeatedly told that continued political activity could prolong his detention and that only a commitment to withdraw from politics would secure his release.
The allegation forms the basis of Count Six in the complaint, which accuses the officials of wrongful confinement with intent to compel, an offence cited under Sections 264 and 267 of the Penal Code.
El-Rufai is asking the court to examine the conduct of the ICPC officials, arguing that the alleged actions represent an abuse of office and an unlawful attempt to restrict his participation in the political process.
The ICPC has not yet publicly responded to the allegations contained in the court filing.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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