El‑Rufai Support Group Retains US Lobbyists for ICPC Trial

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The El‑Rufai Support Group Association (ERSGA) has engaged a U.S.–based advocacy firm to spearhead an international campaign concerning the ongoing trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el‑Rufai.

The association said the decision aims to bring global attention to what it calls concerns about due process and judicial independence in the handling of the case against the former governor.

In a statement, Mohammed Salihu, ERSGA’s Director of Strategic Partnership, announced that the organization has retained Vanguard Africa, a Washington, D.C.–based group, to engage policymakers, democracy advocates and other international stakeholders on developments related to the prosecution.

Salihu explained that the firm will work with U.S. government officials, members of Congress, pro‑democracy institutions and multilateral organisations to highlight the case.

“The treatment of Governor El‑Rufai is not an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a deeper crisis threatening Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” he said. “We are bringing these concerns to Washington because the international community has both the standing and the responsibility to speak plainly when due process is weaponised for political ends,” Salihu added.

ERSGA maintains that el‑Rufai is innocent of the allegations against him and urges foreign governments, democratic institutions and civil society organisations to closely monitor the case’s developments.

El‑Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February on allegations of financial impropriety linked to his tenure as Kaduna State governor.

He was indicted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2024 over the alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering. The assembly subsequently recommended that anti‑graft agencies investigate the allegations.

He was later arraigned by the ICPC before a Kaduna High Court on an amended nine‑count charge bordering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.

The latest move by his supporters comes amid claims by members of his family that his rights have been violated while in custody.

The ICPC has rejected the allegations and maintains that it has acted within the law.

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