El-Rufai Remains In ICPC Custody Despite Administrative Bail, Aide, Lawyer Kick

 

Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has spent over eight nights in the custody of the anti-graft agencies in Nigeria within the past one week.

This is coming after the former governor had voluntarily reported at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, February 16, following an invitation and he was held at the EFCC until Wednesday, February 18 when he was transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai, in a statement by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, said the ICPC is yet to secure a response from the on his application for bail,

Adekeye explained that the legal team had revealed that no remand order has been shown to them, despite the 48-hour window for holding a person without charge having lapsed.

He added that El-Rufai is scheduled for arraignment on February 25 on charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) before the Federal Capital Territory High Court where his fundamental rights case against the Federal Government, ICPC, EFCC and DSS, seeking an order to admit him to bail will be heard.

 “Today marks eight days since Malam Nasir El-Rufai was detained. He voluntarily reported at the EFCC in the morning of Monday, 16th February 2026 in response to an invitation. He has been held since, first by the EFCC which kept him in custody until the night of Wednesday, 18 February when he was moved to the ICPC.

“As at today, his lawyers have not received any response from the ICPC to their application for bail; and they have not been shown any remand order as the 48-hour window for holding a person without charge has expired.

“This week, the courts would entertain at least two matters related to Malam El-Rufai. Hearing in his fundamental rights case against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the DSS has been fixed for 25th February. This case, which is before the FCT High Court, is seeking an order to admit him to bail.

“He is scheduled for arraignment on the same date on the widely publicised charges filed by the DSS.” Adekeye said.

Adekeye stated that between February 16 and 18 , he remained in EFCC custody, despite being granted administrative bail under conditions including having a serving federal permanent secretary as surety.

His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, described the continued detention as unlawful, adding that access to him by family and lawyers was restricted.