The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has denied a claim that former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed while in its custody. The statement refutes an allegation made by one of El-Rufai’s aides, Muyiwa Adekeye, who suggested the former governor faced a health emergency during detention.
ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday that El-Rufai is in stable condition and that no such incident occurred. “The allegation that he bled from his nose while in the custody of the ICPC is not true,” Odey stated. He confirmed the commission continues to detain El-Rufai as investigations into various allegations against him are ongoing. “As soon as we charge him before a court of competent jurisdiction, the charges shall be made known,” Odey added.
El-Rufai has been held by the ICPC since February 18, following his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he had spent two nights. Both agencies are investigating him for alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
The scrutiny intensified after a 2024 report by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which indicted El-Rufai over the alleged diversion of N432 billion in public funds and money laundering. The Assembly recommended his prosecution, adding a layer of legislative oversight to the ongoing administrative investigations by federal anti-corruption bodies.
The ICPC’s denial seeks to counter unverified reports about El-Rufai’s condition while reinforcing that his detention is procedurally grounded. The commission maintains that the prolonged pre-charge detention is necessary to complete its inquiries. This case underscores Nigeria’s broader efforts to address high-level corruption allegations, particularly concerning state-level financial management during the 2015–2023 period.
As investigations proceed, the focus remains on the evidentiary process and the eventual filing of formal charges. The ICPC has pledged to make all accusations public once legal proceedings commence, signalling a potential shift from behind-closed-doors investigation to open court trials. The outcome will be closely watched as a test of Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework’s capacity to handle politically sensitive cases involving former high-ranking officials.
