El-Rufai Demands ₦15.6bn Damages From ICPC Over Arrest, ‘False Wiretapping Claim’

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has demanded ₦15.6bn in damages from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, its chairman and several of its officials over his recent arrest, detention and what he described as false and defamatory statements issued against him.

El-Rufai, alongside members of his family, accused the anti-graft agency of violating his fundamental rights and damaging his reputation through a public statement which alleged that “wiretapping equipment” was discovered at his residence during a search operation.

The former governor’s legal team made the demand in a letter dated March 4, 2026, addressed to the leadership of the commission.

In the letter, the lawyers faulted a press statement released by the commission on March 2, 2026, arguing that the claims contained in the statement were misleading, injurious and defamatory.

According to them, the publication portrayed El-Rufai as being involved in unlawful activities and subjected him to widespread public suspicion and reputational harm both within and outside Nigeria.

They maintained that the anti-corruption agency acted recklessly and without sufficient verification, thereby damaging the public standing of the former governor and causing emotional distress to him and members of his family.

The lawyers insisted that the actions of the commission constituted a serious abuse of power and a violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights, including the right to dignity and personal liberty.

In the legal notice, El-Rufai outlined the specific damages he is seeking from the anti-graft agency.

The demands include:

– ₦5bn as compensatory damages for the alleged breach of his fundamental rights and the consequences of his arrest and detention.

– ₦5bn as exemplary and punitive damages, which the lawyers said should serve as a deterrent against similar actions by public institutions in the future.

– ₦5bn as aggravated damages for the reputational damage allegedly suffered as a result of the commission’s public statement.

– ₦500m for injurious falsehood, which they said stemmed from the claim that wiretapping devices were found in his home.

– ₦100m to cover legal expenses incurred in responding to the matter.

Altogether, the total financial demand stands at ₦15.6bn.

The former governor’s lawyers gave the ICPC 24 hours to comply with the demands contained in the notice.

They warned that failure by the commission to respond within the stipulated timeframe would result in the commencement of multiple legal proceedings against the agency and its officials.

According to the notice, the legal team is already preparing a series of court actions to challenge the commission’s conduct.

The lawyers disclosed that the planned steps include “filing contempt proceedings against the ICPC chairman at the Federal High Court, expediting pending fundamental rights enforcement and bail applications at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, and initiating civil suits for malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, defamation, and abuse of office.”

Beyond court proceedings in Nigeria, the legal team also indicated plans to pursue disciplinary and international remedies.

They alleged that a remand order used to justify the detention of the former governor may have been forged, warning that they would formally report the issue to the relevant authorities.

The lawyers said they would petition the Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Commission seeking disciplinary measures against the magistrate said to have issued the order.

In addition, they disclosed plans to file a complaint before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights over what they described as serious violations of El-Rufai’s fundamental human rights.

BACKGROUND

The dispute between El-Rufai and the ICPC began after officials of the anti-corruption agency reportedly conducted a search operation at the former governor’s residence as part of an ongoing investigation.

Following the operation, the commission released a public statement claiming that wiretapping equipment had been discovered at the property, a claim that quickly attracted widespread public attention and sparked political debate.

However, El-Rufai and his legal representatives have strongly denied the allegation, insisting that no such equipment exists and accusing the agency of deliberately issuing misleading information.

They argue that the statement not only misrepresented the facts of the search but also subjected the former governor to public embarrassment, reputational damage and unnecessary legal pressure.

The demand for ₦15.6bn in damages and the threat of multiple lawsuits now mark a major escalation in the dispute between the former Kaduna governor and the anti-corruption agency.