Supporters of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai say they have engaged a Washington-based lobbying and advocacy firm to raise concerns about his ongoing prosecution by Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) announces the initiative, stating it will run an international campaign aimed at drawing attention to what it describes as weaknesses in due process and rule-of-law protections.
According to ERSGA, the U.S. firm will coordinate outreach to U.S. administration officials, members of Congress, relevant agencies, pro-democracy institutions, and multilateral stakeholders. A regulatory filing cited in one report indicates the firm’s mandate includes planning and conducting such engagements.
ERSGA rejects the ICPC’s allegations against El-Rufai, including claims related to abuse of office, financial impropriety, and fraud, and describes procedural issues in the case. It also says El-Rufai has been detained since February and that bail hearings have faced repeated delays.
In response, the ICPC says its actions— including El-Rufai’s detention—are lawful, even as the support group pursues its external advocacy campaign.
