El-Rufai defiant in two hand-written statements to ICPC agents in custody

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has asked the ICPC to take his case to court if they have anything against him.

The outspoken politicians position was contained in in terse statement written while in ICPC custody on February 19.

The full statement is published below…

His statement, written in ICPC custody on 19 February.

“I have read the above cautionary statement and I understand its meaning and implication. I wish to voluntarily state, in the presence of my lawyer, Ubong Akpan, Esq., from the chambers of Ubong Akpan. My name is Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. I was born in Dandawa, Katsina State, in 1960, and grew up mostly in Kaduna State.

I attended school in Kaduna, and went to Ahmadu Bello University for my first degree in Quantity Surveying. I also attended Harvard University and the University of London, among others. I studied Business Administration, Public Administration and Law.

My working career spans quantity surveying consulting, mobile telecommunications and public service. I was Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (1999-2003), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (2003-2007) and twice-elected Governor of Kaduna State (2015-2023). I am retired and live mostly in Egypt with half of my family and my 96-year-old mother.

I am a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria, which is the real reason you are investigating me.

In response to your question (and indeed all your questions), I have, on the advice of counsel, decided to exercise my right to silence. I will make no further statement or respond to any question. I believe that after nearly two years of intensive investigation, the ICPC should present its findings to a judicial tribunal and not to me. I will respond to any allegations in a court of law only.”

On 20 February, he wrote another statement:

“In furtherance to my statement dated 19 February 2026 and in the presence of my lawyer, Ubong E. Akpan, I wish to state further that upon presentation of further documents and questions, I reserve my constitutional right to silence to all the documents and further questions. As clearly stated in my statement dated 19 February 2026, I will respond to these documents and questions only when presented in a Court of Law.”