The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has denied a political witch-hunt against former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, saying he remains in custody for failing to meet bail conditions.
The ICPC Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, who said this while addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, also denied that the commission was disobeying any court order.
Odey maintained that continued detention of the former governor was not politically motivated, but strictly a matter of law and compliance with bail conditions.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna had on April 14, granted El-Rufai, who is facing a 10-count amended charge bordering on alleged corruption and money laundering filed by the ICPC N200 million bail and two sureties in like sum.
The court directed that one of the sureties must be a resident in Kaduna State with a property worth 200 million and a verified CofO, while the second surety must be a well-respected elder, certified by the elders council.
The court further ordered that the he remain in the custody of the commission pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.
Odey said that the former governor could not however meet the bail conditions set by the court, hence still remained in the ICPC’s custody.
“He is in the custody of ICPC as remanded by a court of competent jurisdiction and he is doing very well, he is fine and he is in good health,” he said.
This is coming as the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday also granted him in the sum of N100m over charges bordering on alleged breach of national security.
The Monday bail ruling followed the arraignment of the former governor by the Department of State Services on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged breach of national security.
When asked if El-Rufai would be released based on bail granted by the court on Monday? Odey said: “That is for the judicial process to determine.
“For us, if he meets the bail conditions given to him in our matter, we have no reason to keep him further.”
He maintained that the anti-graft agency was not a political party and could not be keeping the former governor for political reason.
He insisted that his custody was strictly a matter of law and compliance with bail conditions set by the court, noting that the commission’s operations were strictly within the confines of the law.
He said that the agency actions were guided strictly by law and judicial directives, not political considerations, adding that El-Rufai’s continued custody was solely based on his failure to perfect his bail.
“The ICPC is not a political party. The ICPC does not play politics. It does not exist to play politics. The law establishing the ICPC is very clear.
“The reason we have him in custody is because allegations were made, charges were filed, and he has been arraigned. He is undergoing trial. He is a defendant in those matters.
“The court itself has stated that the case should not be politicised, hence the proceedings are strictly legal and not influenced by partisan considerations.
“So, suggestions that the commission is targeting El-Rufai for political reasons are unfounded and misleading.
“We do not know his political party. ICPC does not have a political party. So why would the commission be involved in politics?” he asked.
He also refuted the claim that the commission had ignored a court order for his release, adding that such claims were inaccurate and misleading.
“The court granted him bail but he is yet to meet his bail conditions. If he meets those conditions, I am sure ICPC will release him immediately. We are not holding him unlawfully,” he stated.
“The commission fully respects judicial authority and would comply once all legal requirements are satisfied.
“The court granted him bail and he is yet to meet his bail conditions. If he meets his bail conditions today, I can assure you that the ICPC will let him go. So we are not keeping him,”
“Please help us tell those giving directive that he should be released unconditional that we are not holding him,” he said.
He said that the corruption charges against the former governor were already before the court and should not be interpreted through a political lens.
He said that the narratives aimed at misrepresenting the entire situation and should be disregarded by the public.(NAN)
