The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has opened up on the reason for declining African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders’ access to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai
Speaking to The Cable, the Commission spokesman, Okor Odey, explained that the denial was based on an existing court order.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the ADC had accused the anti-graft agency of intimidating its leaders through heavy police deployment, after being denied access to the former Kaduna governor at the detention facility in Abuja on Friday.
In a statement on Friday, the national publicity secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said a delegation of the party led by national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, secretary of the policy and manifesto committee, Salihu Lukman, and others were also prevented from seeing El-Rufai.
“Despite prior communication and formal requests, we were denied access without any reasonable explanation.
“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 reads
However, Odey said the agency declined the party’s request and communicated the rejection in an official letter dated May 21, 2026, which was acknowledged the following day.
“We wrote them an official letter declining their request to visit. The reasons are in the letter. The category of persons we are to give access to is clear in the court order,” Odey said.
In the letter signed by S. Yahaya, director of operations, the ICPC said el-Rufai “is standing trial before the State High Court of Justice, Kaduna, and Federal High Court of Nigeria, both sitting in Kaduna”
“Though the defendant is in the Commission’s custody by order of both courts, the court is fully seised of the matter.
“The court has granted access to the defendant to his family, doctors and counsel.
“These are the only category of persons granted access to see the defendant in the Commission’s custody. Consequently, the application cannot be granted.
“Please accept the assurances of the Hon. Chairman’s best regards,” the letter reads.
Odey further dismissed the ADC’s claim of intimidation, noting that police presence at the ICPC gate is part of routine security procedure.