Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has formally declined an invitation to appear before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on February 13, 2026, citing logistical constraints, but pledged to honour a rescheduled date.
In a letter dated February 12, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the ICPC and signed by his lawyers, Wole Iyamu, SAN, of Wole Iyamu SAN & Co., and Ubong Akpan Esq. of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, El-Rufai acknowledged receipt of the Commission’s invitation at about 4:30 p.m. the same day.
The letter, referenced UAP/ICPC/VOL/01/2026 and received at the Office of the ICPC Chairman on February 13, 2026, was directed to Mr. Etene S. Yahaya, Director of Operations. It referenced an earlier communication titled “Letter of Invitation – ICPC/OPS/IND/DH/038 dated 12th February 2026.”
According to his legal representatives, the invitation requested El-Rufai’s attendance at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday, February 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
The former governor’s counsel argued that the notice period was too short to reasonably enable their client to assemble relevant documents, consult with legal advisers, and rearrange prior engagements. They described compliance within the stipulated timeframe as “manifestly impossible” due to logistics, fairness, and due process considerations.
“No adverse inference should be drawn from his inability to meet this impracticable deadline,” the letter stated.
While respectfully declining the February 13 date, the legal team gave an undertaking that El-Rufai would “unfailingly present himself” at the Commission’s headquarters on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., or on any other convenient date the Commission may propose thereafter.
They further assured the ICPC that their client remains committed to cooperating fully with the Commission’s statutory mandate and would attend with his legal team to render all necessary assistance to facilitate the inquiry.
“Our client holds the Commission in high regard and remains fully committed to cooperating with any lawful investigation,” the letter added, noting that El-Rufai has consistently affirmed his willingness to submit to legitimate scrutiny.
The lawyers also requested that he be permitted to be accompanied by counsel during the appearance, describing it as a constitutional right.
The correspondence concluded with a request that all further communications on the matter be directed to the undersigned solicitors.
As of press time, the ICPC had not publicly responded to the request for a new date.
Abuja Network News
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