- Safiu Kehinde
Ubong Esop Akpan, the lawyer to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have slammed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over its discovery of multi-billion properties allegedly linked to El-Rufai Egypt
Akpan accused the ICPC of spreading unverified allegations linking their client to multi-billion-naira properties in Egypt, describing the claims as part of a politically motivated campaign.
As contained in a statement issued by the lawyer on Monday, he said the allegations were based on anonymous “leaks” and lacked verifiable evidence.
Akpan labelled the ICPC claim as a fabricated narrative, devoid of verifiable evidence and reliant on shadowy ‘sources’,
He alleged that the discovery is a desperate smear campaign designed to justify the ongoing unlawful detention of a citizen who has committed no crime.
“It exemplifies the ICPC’s transformation from an anti-corruption agency into a criminal enterprise, perpetrating prosecutorial misconduct, hostage-taking, and violations of fundamental rights in pursuit of a failed agenda of political persecution”. The lawyer said.
Akpan recalled the ICPC’s arrest of El-Rufai shortly after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The lawyer maintained that the detention violates Section 35 of Nigeria’s Constitution, which, according to reports, guarantees personal liberty and requires suspects to be brought before a court within a reasonable time.
He further questioned the validity of a remand order reportedly issued on February 19, claiming it expired on March 4 and was never served on the defence team.