Tension at ICPC as ADC leaders denied access to El-Rufai amid heavy police deployment

African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Friday accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of intimidation after senior leaders of the party were denied access to former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The opposition party also expressed concern over what it described as a “show of force” by security operatives during an attempt by its leaders to visit the former governor, who is currently being held by the anti-graft agency.

In a statement issued by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said its National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, alongside Mallam Salihu Lukman and other senior officials, visited the ICPC headquarters earlier in the day but were refused access to El-Rufai despite what it said were prior communications with the commission.

According to the statement, the situation became tense after several trucks conveying armed police officers arrived at the premises while the delegation awaited a response from ICPC officials.

“While we were at the premises awaiting a response to our request, the atmosphere suddenly became noticeably tense after no fewer than three truckloads of armed police officers arrived at the facility,” the statement said.

“The heavy deployment, which appeared entirely unnecessary and disproportionate to the peaceful presence of unarmed political leaders, created the unmistakable impression that the authorities feared that the mere presence of opposition leaders at the Commission could trigger public outrage.”

The ADC said it was disturbed that what it described as a routine visitation request was allegedly met with intimidation rather than professionalism.

“It is deeply troubling that a simple request by senior party officials to visit a detained colleague was met, not with professionalism, but with a show of force more suited to the suppression of civil unrest,” the party stated.

“At no point did members of our delegation threaten disorder, incite confrontation, or mobilise supporters to the premises. Yet the response of the state suggested panic, fear, and an attempt to intimidate not only our party leaders, but also any Nigerian who may dare to question the treatment being meted out to opposition figures.”

The party further alleged that recent developments surrounding El-Rufai’s detention had heightened public concern over the possible use of state institutions to target opposition voices.

“Such actions only reinforce growing public concern that state institutions are increasingly being used, not merely for law enforcement, but as instruments of political pressure and psychological intimidation against dissenting voices,” the statement added.

ADC disclosed that Aregbesola had earlier written formally to the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, requesting access to El-Rufai due to concerns about his wellbeing and reports of restrictions on visits by family members and medical personnel.

The party maintained that the former Kaduna governor voluntarily submitted himself to the authorities and should not be denied his constitutional rights.

“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is not a fugitive. He voluntarily submitted himself to the authorities,” the statement read.

“Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is entitled to dignity, medical care, family access, and fair treatment under the law. What we are witnessing increasingly appears to be punishment by process, intimidation through isolation, and an attempt to break the spirit of a leading opposition figure.”

The ADC called on the ICPC to immediately grant unrestricted access to El-Rufai by his family members, lawyers, doctors and party leaders.

“We therefore demand that the ICPC immediately grant unrestricted access to Mallam El-Rufai by his family, doctors, lawyers, and leaders of his political party,” the party said.

“Anything short of this will only reinforce public perception that state institutions are being weaponised against opposition voices.”