ICPC Detention of Nasir El-Rufai Unlawful, Family Alleges
The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has described his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as unlawful, demanding his immediate release.
In a statement issued on March 6, 2026, and signed by his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, the family alleged that the anti-corruption agency no longer has any legal basis to keep the former governor in custody.
According to the statement, El-Rufai was initially taken into custody by the ICPC on February 18, 2026. The family said the agency later obtained a remand order from a magistrate court on February 19 to detain him.
However, the family argued that the remand order was defective and legally permitted detention for only 14 days, a period they say has now elapsed.
They further claimed that the ICPC has neither filed charges against El-Rufai in a court of competent jurisdiction nor obtained a fresh or extended order authorizing his continued detention.
“As of today, March 6, 2026, Nasir El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody under circumstances that have no basis in law,” the statement said.
The family accused the anti-graft agency of failing in its responsibility to either charge the former governor in court or release him, describing the continued detention as “unlawful” and “self-help.”
They also alleged that the ICPC is being used as an instrument of political persecution rather than acting as an independent institution of justice.
The family therefore called for the immediate and unconditional release of the former Kaduna governor.
Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had not issued an immediate response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
