The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has defended its decision to bar African Democratic Congress representatives from meeting with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, claiming that the action was compliant with an existing court order.
In response to claims made by the ADC that its leaders were intimidated and refused entry during a visit to the former governor on Friday, ICPC spokesman John Odey revealed this on Saturday.
Odey claimed that the commission had formally responded to the ADC upon receipt of a letter asking for authorization for certain party leaders to travel to El-Rufai.
"Yes, we turned them down. They expressed their desire to travel to El-Rufai in a letter to us. Aregbesola, Abolaji Abdullahi, and other attendees were listed.
"We received their letter on the 20th or so, and we informed them on the 21st that they shouldn't come because the court order was specific," he stated.
He clarified that only El-Rufai's close relatives, attorneys, and physicians were permitted access under the court order.
Only members of his immediate family, his attorney, and his physicians are allowed access. We are unable to fulfill their desire to visit due to the circumstances and the court order," he said.
Odey insisted that the party received the commission's response when asked if the ADC had been notified prior to visiting the commission's headquarters.
They received the letter, and it was stamped to confirm receipt.
However, there is proof that the letter was received by ADC. He continued, "The reality is that ADC is a political organization and does not fit into the category that the court ordered us to grant access to."
Additionally, Odey denied claims that security personnel at the commission's headquarters harassed or threatened ADC leaders.
"No, no, no. They experienced no harassment whatsoever. He said, "They weren't scared.
He clarified that regular security measures included armed police officers stationed at the commission's gate.
You are aware that we always have a detachment of mobile police officers stationed at the gate. Their trucks are occasionally parked there. He replied, "They saw those things and said we brought three trailers of police."
The commission would continue to abide by the court order limiting access to the former governor, the ICPC spokesperson stressed.
"We won't let them in. The court was explicit, stating that only members of his immediate family, attorneys, and physicians were permitted. We do not have the court's authority to provide entry to someone who is not in that category," he stated.
He went on to say that the commission was following the law and making sure El-Rufai was safe while he was being held.
"We don't care about politics. We didn't bring cops to scare them. "The police have always been there," Odey remarked.
After top party leaders were denied the opportunity to meet El-Rufai at the commission's Abuja headquarters, the ADC had earlier accused the ICPC of blocking his access.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the party's National Publicity Secretary, said in a statement released in Abuja that the ADC had formally written to Musa Aliyu, the ICPC Chairman, asking for visiting rights due to worries over El-Rufai's welfare.
El-Rufai is presently on trial on nine revised counts that include alleged violations of the Kaduna State Penal Code 2017, the Kaduna State Public Procurement Law 2017, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act 2006, and the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act 2000.
The former governor of Kaduna entered a not guilty plea to every accusation.