Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai remains in detention at the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), with his bail application still pending, according to a statement from his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye.
El-Rufai presented himself for questioning at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, following an invitation. He was initially held by the EFCC before being transferred to the ICPC two days later. Adekeye’s statement, issued eight days after the initial invitation, confirmed that El-Rufai’s legal team formally submitted a bail request after interrogation but has received no response from the commission.
The aide highlighted that no court remand order has been produced to justify the continued detention, noting that the constitutional 48-hour limit for holding a suspect without charge has elapsed. This procedural point underscores the legal arguments surrounding the basis for his prolonged custody.
In a separate legal action, El-Rufai has filed a court challenge contesting the legality of a search conducted by ICPC officials at his residence in Abuja. He characterised the search as “a violation of his rights” and is seeking to have the warrant used declared invalid. This motion adds another layer to the ongoing legal disputes.
The case has intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies and the procedures governing suspects’ rights. With no formal charges announced and key legal motions pending, the next phases will likely centre on the ICPC’s response to the bail application and the court’s ruling on the search warrant. The detention of a former state governor amplifies the political and legal significance of the proceedings, drawing attention to the balance between investigative authority and constitutional safeguards in high-profile corruption cases.
