EL-RUFAI: ESG accuses ICPC of ‘political persecution’, demands public explanation, unreserved apology from Commission
By KEMI KASUMU
The Uche Diala-led ESG specifically condemned an incident it claimed occurred on Friday, May 15, 2026, alleging that El-Rufai was denied access to his personal physician while his wife was also prevented from delivering his evening meal.
The El-Rufai Support Group (ESG) has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to provide a public explanation and tender an unreserved apology over the treatment of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, currently in the Commission’s custody.
In a statement issued on Saturday May 16, 2026 by its Director General, Dr. Uche Diala, the group expressed concern over what it described as the prolonged detention and alleged maltreatment of El-Rufai, who it said has been held by the ICPC since February 16, 2026.
According to the ESG, the Commission’s conduct has raised widespread concern among Nigerians, with the group alleging that the anti-corruption agency is engaging in “political persecution” rather than pursuing accountability.
The El-Rufai Support Group was making the allegations amidst concerns among Nigerians particularly in North and South West wondering how democratic President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could claim to be when all that Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, a man creditable for his presidential installation of 2023, could get in return was the incident by which he was first subjected to ridicule by the legislature over the issue of unsolicited ministerial nomination, followed by indefensible arrest and – up till the present – unexplainable yet continued detention, interpreted by opposition and other watchers of events as ‘political persecution’.
The Uche Diala-led ESG specifically condemned an incident it claimed occurred on Friday, May 15, 2026, alleging that El-Rufai was denied access to his personal physician while his wife was also prevented from delivering his evening meal.
Describing the development as “cruel” and “an affront to the rule of law,” the ESG maintained that a competent court had earlier ordered that El-Rufai be granted unrestricted access to his family and medical team while in custody.
The statement further argued that restricting the former governor’s rights beyond lawful limits amounted to “physical, emotional and psychological torture,” citing provisions of international human rights law, including the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT).
The group said the alleged actions of the ICPC had heightened concerns about El-Rufai’s health and safety, insisting that he remained innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Consequently, the ESG demanded that the ICPC provide a public explanation within 24 hours on why its operatives allegedly denied El-Rufai access to his family and medical team, despite existing court orders.
The organisation also called on the Commission to issue an unreserved apology to El-Rufai, his family, and Nigerians.
The group appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, the National Assembly, the National Judicial Council, and other relevant institutions to intervene and prevent what it described as the misuse of anti-corruption agencies for political purposes.
“It is Mallam Nasir El-Rufai today. It could be any other citizen tomorrow,” the statement read, warning against the establishment of what it termed “dangerous precedents.”
Detailing its concerns over the matter, the grip said, “The conduct of the Commission has left many Nigerians shocked and in no doubt that it is embarked not on accountability but rather on an unprecedented and dangerous form of orchestrated witch hunt and political persecution.
“Perhaps, the most outrageous example so far in the litany of unacceptable conducts by the Commission happened yesterday, Friday 15th May 2026, when not only was Mallam Nasir El-Rufai reportedly denied access to his personal physician, his spouse was also denied access to serve him his evening meal. This is impunity and cruelty taken too far.
“These actions by the Commission and its operatives do not only mark an unacceptable departure from all acceptable civilised, moral and legal standards, they are equally a direct affront to the authority of the courts and the Nigerian legal system, especially in view of the fact that a court of competent jurisdiction had issued strict and unequivocal orders that Mallam El-Rufai should be allowed unfettered access to him by his medical team and family whilst in the custody of the ICPC.
“We do not have to, but we reiterate that, just like every other citizen, Mallam El-Rufai is innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Therefore, the idea of restricting his rights beyond what is lawfully permissible – essentially punishing him extrajudicially – amounts to physical, emotional and psychological torture.
“International human rights law establishes an absolute prohibition against all forms of torture – physical, emotional, and psychological. These protections are enshrined in foundational treaties and conventions that are globally binding and universally non-derogable. Specifically, the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) legally prohibits the intentional infliction of severe physical or mental pain. This explicitly encompasses psychological harm, sleep, food and other forms of unlawful deprivation.
“Unfortunately, the latest development adds to the growing list of arrogant and flagrant abuses of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s fundamental human rights under the custody of the ICPC. This development is even more bothersome as it raises legitimate concerns about his health and the safety of his life. It is totally unacceptable and condemnable, and is hereby condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“The ESG – as a bonafide organisation mandated to defend the interests of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai – hereby demands a public explanation – within 24 hours – from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as to why its operatives denied those fundamental rights to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai – in direct affront to and in disobedience of the provisions of the Constitution as well as lawful and consequential orders by a court.
“We equally demand an unreserved apology from the Commission to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, his wife, his family and Nigerians.
“We continue to believe in the supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law and due process and that Nigeria is not a banana republic where institutions are run based on the whims and caprices of individuals rather than laid down laws, rules and regulations. State institutions must be held responsible and accountable.
“We respectfully call on the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, the National Assembly, the National Judicial Council, as well as other relevant individuals and bodies to step in in a bid to halt the misuse of law enforcement and anti corruption institutions as tools for political manipulation and witch hunt and arenas for the abuse of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.
“It is Mallam Nasir El-Rufai today. It could be any other citizen tomorrow. We must therefore not allow dangerous precedents to be established and entrenched. Doing so would bode no one and the nation any good.
“Enough is Enough!”, it said.
