Aichatou 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 statements contained in a recent press release issued by the anti-graft agency.
In a pre-action notice addressed to the chairman of the commission by Mrs El-Rufai’s lawyers, she accused the ICPC of damaging her reputation through a statement titled “Clarification on the Access Control Protocol at ICPC Headquarters, Abuja,” issued on May 18, 2026.
The lawyers argued that the statement, which was read on behalf of the commission by its Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey, implied that she is not a lawful wife of Mr El-Rufai.
She further alleged that the commission falsely portrayed her as dishonest, manipulative and disrespectful of institutional procedures.
According to the letter, the commission’s claim that Mrs El-Rufai’s allegations were “false and misleading” amounted to branding her a liar before the public.
The lawyers also faulted the commission’s description of her as “a woman who identified herself as the wife of a defendant,” arguing that the wording cast doubt on her status as the lawful wife of the former governor.
They further objected to claims that she had previously exceeded approved visiting hours at the commission’s facility, saying the statement portrayed her as a habitual rule-breaker lacking respect for lawful authority.
The legal team maintained that another section of the statement suggested Mrs El-Rufai contradicted herself regarding claims that her husband was denied food while in custody, thereby portraying her as dishonest and fabricating allegations against the agency.
The letter also accused the ICPC of implying that Mrs El-Rufai staged a media spectacle in an attempt to “circumvent lawful institutional procedures,” describing the allegation as malicious and defamatory.
Her lawyers argued that the publication, which they said had gained wide circulation locally and internationally, exposed her to ridicule and public contempt.
The lawyers described Mrs El-Rufai as “a woman of unblemished character” and accused the commission of abusing state power to humiliate a private citizen.
The legal team demanded an immediate retraction and public apology to be published in at least three national newspapers and across the commission’s digital platforms.
They are also seeking N2 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages, alongside a written undertaking that no similar statements would be made against her in future.
The lawyers gave the ICPC 14 days to comply with the demands or face legal action in court.
