By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong
Aishatu El-Rufai, wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has threatened legal action against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over what she described as defamatory remarks contained in a recent statement issued by the anti-graft agency.
Through a pre-action notice filed by her lawyers, Aishatu accused the ICPC of damaging her reputation in a press release titled “Clarification on the Access Control Protocol at ICPC Headquarters, Abuja,” released on May 18, 2026. The statement was reportedly signed by the commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey.
Her legal team faulted the section of the statement that referred to her as “a woman who identified herself as the wife of a defendant,” arguing that the wording cast doubt on her marital status and portrayed her as dishonest before the public. The lawyers also rejected allegations that she violated approved visiting hours at the ICPC headquarters.
According to the notice, the commission’s description of her allegations as “false and misleading” amounted to branding her a liar and suggesting she attempted to undermine lawful institutional procedures. Her lawyers further claimed the statement maliciously implied that she staged a media spectacle to gain public sympathy.
Describing Aishatu as “a woman of unblemished character,” the legal team demanded a full retraction and public apology in at least three national newspapers and on the ICPC’s official platforms. They are also seeking ₦2 billion in damages and a written assurance that similar statements will not be made in future, giving the commission 14 days to comply or face a lawsuit.
