A group supporting former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has enlisted the services of a United States-based advocacy organisation to spearhead an international campaign concerning his ongoing prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The group, known as the El-Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA), announced that it has retained Washington DC-based Vanguard Africa to engage international policymakers, democracy advocates, and other global stakeholders over what it described as concerns surrounding the legal proceedings against the former governor.
In a statement released on Wednesday, ERSGA’s Director of Strategic Partnership, Mohammed Salihu, expressed concern over El-Rufai’s continued detention and what the group sees as delays in the judicial process.
According to Salihu, the case extends beyond the former governor and raises questions about the state of democratic institutions in Nigeria.
“The treatment of Governor El-Rufai is not an isolated incident – it is a symptom of a deeper crisis threatening Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” Salihu stated.
He further argued that the international community should not remain silent if due process is allegedly being compromised for political purposes.
“The international community has a responsibility to speak out where due process is being undermined for political reasons,” he added.
The association disclosed that the advocacy effort would involve outreach to officials within the United States government, members of Congress, pro-democracy organisations, and multilateral institutions.
ERSGA maintained that El-Rufai remains innocent of the allegations levelled against him and described the trial as a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law, particularly as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The group also called on foreign governments, civil society organisations, and democratic institutions to closely monitor developments in the case and support initiatives aimed at safeguarding judicial independence and democratic freedoms.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February over allegations of financial misconduct linked to his time as governor of Kaduna State. In 2024, he was indicted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly over the alleged diversion of ₦423 billion in public funds and money laundering claims.
The former governor was subsequently arraigned before a Kaduna High Court on an amended nine-count charge involving alleged fraud and abuse of office.
However, the ICPC has rejected claims that El-Rufai’s rights have been violated, maintaining that all actions taken in the case have been in accordance with the law.
