Aichatou El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has slammed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission with a N2bn defamation suit over alleged damaging statements made against her by the anti-graft agency.
- +El-Rufai’s wife slams ICPC with N2bn defamation suit
Aichatou, through her legal representatives, had issued the notice to the chairman of the commission following the publication of a press statement titled, “Clarification on the Access Control Protocol at ICPC Headquarters, Abuja,” released on May 18, 2026.
Aichatou, through her legal representatives, had issued the notice to the chairman of the commission following the publication of a press statement titled, “Clarification on the Access Control Protocol at ICPC Headquarters, Abuja,” released on May 18, 2026.
According to the notice, the legal team argued that parts of the statement, which was read by John Odey, ICPC spokesperson, were defamatory and had caused serious damage to her reputation and public image.
The lawyers specifically objected to the commission’s description of Aichatou 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 maintained that the commission’s claim that her earlier allegations were “false and misleading” portrayed her as dishonest and deceptive, thereby injuring her reputation in the eyes of the public.
The legal team also faulted allegations that she breached visitation procedures at the commission’s headquarters, insisting that such remarks painted her as someone who disregards institutional rules and protocols.
In addition, the notice challenged aspects of the statement which allegedly suggested that Mrs El-Rufai’s wife contradicted herself over claims that her husband was denied food while in custody.
According to the lawyers, the publication undermined her credibility and integrity by portraying her actions as an attempt to create a media spectacle in order to bypass official procedures at the commission.
The notice stated that the statement had been widely circulated across local and international media platforms, exposing Mrs El-Rufai to embarrassment, ridicule and reputational damage.
Her lawyers described her as a woman of “unblemished character” and accused the anti-corruption agency of unfairly targeting a private citizen through its official communication channels.
Among the demands contained in the notice were an immediate retraction of the allegedly defamatory statements and a public apology to Aichatou El-Rufai.
The legal team also requested that the apology be published in at least three national newspapers and circulated across the commission’s digital and social media platforms.
In addition, the lawyers demanded N2bn in general, aggravated and exemplary damages for the alleged harm caused by the publication.
They further requested a written undertaking from the commission, assuring that no similar statements would be made against Aichatou in the future.
The commission was given 14 days to comply with the demands, failing which the legal team warned that it would commence legal action against the anti-graft agency.
