Court Approves ICPC To Detain Former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai For Additional 14 Days
A Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, has approved the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to extend the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai by 14 days.
The order, issued Thursday by Chief Magistrate Okechukwu John Akweke, is to allow the anti-graft agency to complete its investigation into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. The remand will run until March 19, 2026.
Court documents show the order was granted in the presence of El-Rufai’s lawyer following an application by the ICPC. Prosecuting counsel Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha requested the court to authorize the continued detention until investigations are concluded.
The court stated: “An order of this Honourable Court issuing a remand warrant against the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) in favour of the Applicant i.e. Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to detain the Respondent… in its custody for another fourteen (14) days pending conclusion of investigation activities on allegations of Money Laundering/abuse of office.”
It added, “Application granted as prayed. That the Applicant i.e. ICPC is hereby ordered to re-detain the Respondent for additional 14 days to enable the commission conclude investigation activities. The return date shall be 19th day of March 2026, for report of compliance.”
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ukpong Esop Akpan, has challenged the new remand order, following a previous failed attempt to nullify the first detention. The court is set to rule on the challenge on March 17.
An ICPC source told The Nation that the commission is not persecuting the former governor and that all actions comply with legal procedures.
“With a Senior Advocate of Nigeria as our chairman, we cannot detain any suspect without a valid court order. El-Rufai’s legal team has been involved in all proceedings. The first remand order was challenged and dismissed; the second will be ruled on March 17,” the source said.
The source added that the ICPC is acting on a petition against El-Rufai and that the chairman has no personal interest in the matter. “Equity demands that we hear from him,” the source said.
