The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed allegations by the wife of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, that she was denied access to deliver food to her husband while in custody, insisting that its security and access control protocols apply to all persons without exception.
Addressing journalists at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, the Commission’s Spokesman and Head of the Media and Public Communications Unit, John Odey, said claims circulating in a viral video interview by one of El-Rufai’s wives were “false and misleading.”
He explained that its access control policy permits visitors into its premises between 9am and 6:30pm, adding that the protocol predates the current leadership of the commission and is strictly enforced nationwide.
According to him, the woman in question arrived at about 7pm, outside the approved access window, despite previously complying with the regulation.
“The ICPC wishes to state categorically that these claims are false and misleading,” he said.
He emphasised that members of El-Rufai’s family were allowed access to deliver food to him several times on the same day.
“On the Friday in question, one of the defendant’s wives and a housemaid were permitted to bring food to the defendant on no fewer than three occasions, between 10:30am and 5:30pm,” Odey explained.
While displaying portions of the visitors’ register that confirmed multiple entries linked to El-Rufai’s family members, Odey said, “Six entries belonging to this family members who came here to deliver food, breakfast, lunch, dinner, to this defendant who is in our custody,” the commission said.