The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has defended its decision to deny leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) access to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, saying the action was in line with a court order.

ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, disclosed this while reacting to allegations by the ADC that its leaders were harassed and denied access to El-Rufai during a visit to the commission on Friday.

According to Odey, the ADC had written to the commission seeking permission for party leaders, including former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, to visit El-Rufai.

“Yes, we denied them. They wrote to us saying that they wanted to come and visit El-Rufai. They listed those people who came, Aregbesola, Abolaji Abdullahi and others.

“We got their letter on the 20th or thereabouts and replied to them on the 21st that they should not come because the court order was specific,” Odey said.

He explained that the court order only permitted access to El-Rufai’s immediate family members, legal counsel and medical doctors.

“The access is limited to the category of his immediate family members, his legal counsel and his medical doctors. Based on the court order, under the circumstances, we are not able to grant them their request to visit,” he stated.

Odey also dismissed claims that ADC leaders were harassed or intimidated during their visit.

“No, no, no. They were not harassed. No harassment whatsoever. They were not intimidated,” he said.

According to him, armed policemen stationed at the commission’s headquarters were part of routine security arrangements.

“Usually, we have a detachment of mobile policemen at the gate all the time. Sometimes you see their trucks parked there. Those are the things they saw that they said we brought three trailers of police,” he added.

The commission maintained that it would continue to comply strictly with the court directive restricting access to the former governor.

“We will not allow them. The court was specific, saying that the category of persons allowed by the court is his immediate family, his lawyers and his doctors. Anybody outside that category, we do not have the authority of the court to grant access,” Odey said.

The ADC had earlier accused the ICPC of obstructing access to El-Rufai and alleged that security deployment at the commission’s premises was aimed at intimidating opposition figures.