El-Rufai Remains In ICPC Custody As Bail Request Stalls After Eight Days
The continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sparked fresh concern, as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has not approved his bail more than a week after he was taken into custody.
According to a statement released on Monday by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai has been in detention since February 16, 2026, when he responded to an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He was reportedly held by the EFCC until the evening of February 18 before being transferred to the ICPC.
Adekeye disclosed that El-Rufai’s legal team filed a formal bail request with the ICPC on February 19, but no response has been received. He also noted that the lawyers have not been shown any remand order authorising his prolonged detention, despite the constitutional provision that limits detention without charge to 48 hours.
The former governor is expected in court this week over two separate matters. A fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the Department of State Services is set for hearing on February 25 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The suit seeks an order granting him bail.
On the same date, he is also scheduled to be arraigned on charges said to have been filed by the DSS.
Providing further details, Adekeye said operatives of the ICPC searched El-Rufai’s residence on Aso Drive on February 19. His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, criticised the search, describing the warrant as flawed and the operation unlawful. El-Rufai has since approached the Federal High Court, asking the court to nullify the warrant on grounds including lack of probable cause, excessive scope and drafting errors.
The case names the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents. El-Rufai is also seeking an order preventing authorities from using any materials seized during the search in any proceedings against him.
