El-Rufai’s Supporters Raise Concern, Hire US Firm Over ICPC Trial

A support group backing former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has engaged a United States-based advocacy firm to lead an international campaign over his ongoing trial by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The group, El-Rufai Support Group Association, said it had retained Vanguard Africa, a Washington DC-based organisation, to engage policymakers, democracy advocates and international stakeholders on issues surrounding the prosecution of the former governor.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the group’s Director of Strategic Partnership, Mohammed Salihu.

ERSGA expressed concern over what it described as prolonged detention and delays in the judicial process, saying the matter raised broader concerns about due process and the independence of public institutions.

“The treatment of Governor El-Rufai is not an isolated incident – it is a symptom of a deeper crisis threatening Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” Salihu said.

He added that the international community had a responsibility to speak out where due process was allegedly being undermined for political reasons.

According to the group, the advocacy campaign will involve engagement with officials of the United States government, members of Congress, pro-democracy institutions and multilateral organisations.

The association maintained that El-Rufai was innocent of the allegations against him and described the case as a major test of Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.

ERSGA also urged foreign governments, democratic institutions and civil society organisations to monitor developments in the case and support efforts aimed at protecting judicial independence and democratic freedoms in Nigeria.

NEWSNGR reports that El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February over allegations of financial impropriety linked to his tenure as Kaduna State governor.

He was indicted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2024 over the alleged diversion of ₦423 billion in public funds and money laundering.

The former governor was later arraigned before a Kaduna High Court on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.

The ICPC has denied allegations of rights violations, insisting that it acted within the law.