Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and his family are seeking N15.6 billion in damages from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), its chairman, and other officials, citing his arrest, detention, and what they describe as false public statements made against him.
The demand follows claims by the commission that “wiretapping equipment” was discovered at the former governor’s residence.
In a letter dated March 4, 2026, El-Rufai’s legal team described a press statement issued by the ICPC on March 2, 2026, as defamatory and misleading, arguing that it caused significant reputational harm to the former governor.
In a formal legal notice, El-Rufai accused the commission of actions that allegedly violated his fundamental rights and listed several demands for compensation, including N5 billion as compensatory damages, N5 billion as exemplary and punitive damages intended to deter similar conduct, and another N5 billion as aggravated damages.
The notice also seeks N500 million for injurious falsehood and N100 million to cover legal costs, bringing the total claim to N15.6 billion.
The legal team gave the commission 24 hours to meet the demands, warning that failure to comply would trigger further legal action.
The legal notice disclosed that 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”.
The lawyers also threatened to report the alleged forgery of a remand order for criminal investigation, petition the Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Commission for disciplinary action against the magistrate involved, and to file a complaint before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights over alleged violations of El-Rufai’s fundamental rights.
