El-Rufai's Lawyer Denies Egypt Property Allegations
Ubong Esop Akpan, the lawyer representing former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed allegations concerning his client's ownership of properties in Egypt as baseless and stemming from an anonymous leak. In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Akpan accused the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) of conducting a smear campaign aimed at discrediting El-Rufai and undermining his public support.
El-Rufai has been in custody since February 18, 2026, following actions taken by the DSS related to alleged economic and financial crimes. Akpan noted that El-Rufai voluntarily presented himself to the EFCC on February 16 and was granted administrative bail.
He argued that the detention of El-Rufai for over 20 days without formal charges violates Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which mandates that suspects be arraigned within a reasonable time. Akpan also questioned the validity of a 14-day remand order issued by a magistrate court on February 19, asserting that the court lacked jurisdiction as the order expired on March 4.
El-Rufai's legal team is reportedly preparing a criminal complaint against the ICPC chairman for alleged involvement in the matter.
Plus234Feed summary based on reporting from Naijanews. Read the original report below.
Read full article
Continue on Naijanews
Get the week in one email
Top stories, NPFL results, the naira — every Friday morning. Free, one email a week.
Related Stories
El-Rufai's Lawyer Critiques ICPC Over Property Allegations
El-Rufai Files Complaint Against ICPC Over Political Pressure
El-Rufai Arraigned in Kaduna Federal High Court on Corruption
El-Rufai Threatens ICPC with N15.6bn Defamation Suit
ICPC to Arraign El-Rufai for Alleged Graft Charges
ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai Over Multi-Billion Naira Fraud
Get Plus234Feed on messaging apps
Same headlines, delivered where you already scroll.
