Aisha El-Rufai threatens legal action against ICPC over alleged defamatory statement

Aishatu El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has threatened legal action against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over what she described as defamatory remarks in a recent official statement.

In a pre-action notice issued through her legal representatives, she accused the anti-graft agency of damaging her reputation through a press release titled “Clarification on the Access Control Protocol at ICPC Headquarters, Abuja”, issued on May 18, 2026.

Her legal team argued that the ICPC statement, read by its Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, contained insinuations that portrayed her as dishonest and improperly presented her relationship with the former governor.

The lawyers specifically faulted the wording of the statement, which referred to her as “a woman who identified herself as the wife of a defendant,” arguing that it cast doubt on her marital status and subjected her to public ridicule.

They also rejected claims that she had exceeded approved visiting hours at ICPC premises, insisting the narrative portrayed her as disrespectful to institutional procedures.

According to the letter, the commission’s assertion that her allegations against the agency were “false and misleading” amounted to calling her a liar in the public space, thereby damaging her reputation locally and internationally.

The legal team further argued that the statement suggested she attempted to “circumvent lawful institutional procedures” and staged a media spectacle, descriptions they described as malicious and defamatory.

Describing her as “a woman of unblemished character,” the lawyers accused the ICPC of abusing state power and demanded a full retraction and public apology across at least three national newspapers and the commission’s official platforms.

They are also demanding ₦2 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages, along with a written undertaking to avoid any future statements of similar nature.

The ICPC has been given 14 days to comply with the demands or face a formal lawsuit in court.