Aichatou El-Rufai, the wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has taken legal steps against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), demanding N2 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements.

According to reports, her legal team issued a pre-action notice to the ICPC chairman following a press statement released by the commission on May 18, 2026, titled “Clarification on the Access Control Protocol at ICPC Headquarters, Abuja.” The lawyers representing Mrs El-Rufai argued that several parts of the ICPC statement were damaging to her reputation.

One key issue raised was the description of her as “a woman who identified herself as the wife of a defendant,” which her counsel said cast doubt on her legitimate status as the former governor’s wife.

They also objected to the commission’s claim that her earlier statements were “false and misleading,” insisting that such wording portrayed her as dishonest in the eyes of the public.

Furthermore, the legal team faulted allegations that she breached visitation procedures at the ICPC headquarters, saying it wrongly painted her as someone who disrespects institutional rules.

They also disagreed with suggestions that she contradicted herself over claims that her husband was denied food while in custody, arguing that such remarks attacked her credibility and integrity.

The lawyers added that the ICPC statement allegedly portrayed her actions as an attempt to create unnecessary media attention, which they described as malicious.

They stated that the publication had been widely circulated across media platforms, causing embarrassment, public ridicule, and reputational harm to Mrs El-Rufai.

As part of their demands, the legal team is asking the ICPC to retract the statement and publish a public apology in at least three national newspapers, as well as on its digital platforms.

They are also seeking N2 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages, along with a written assurance that no similar statements will be made again.The ICPC has been given 14 days to respond, after which legal action may follow if the demands are not met.