Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission of attempting to force him out of politics as a condition for his release from detention.
The allegation is contained in a 30-page criminal complaint filed by El-Rufai against the ICPC chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, and four other officials of the anti-corruption agency.
In the filing, the former governor claimed that during his detention, ICPC officers told him he would only regain his freedom if he agreed to withdraw from political activities. He alleged that the officials, acting on the authority of the commission’s leadership, made it clear that his release depended on abandoning his political involvement.
El-Rufai argued that the demand amounted to a violation of his constitutional rights, describing it as an attempt to unlawfully restrict his participation in the political process.
Further details in the supporting affidavit state that he was repeatedly warned that continued political engagement could prolong his detention, while compliance with the alleged demand would secure his release.
The claim forms part of a charge of wrongful confinement with intent to compel, cited under relevant provisions of the Penal Code in the complaint.
El-Rufai is asking the court to investigate the conduct of the ICPC officials, maintaining that their actions constitute an abuse of power.
The ICPC has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
