The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has not granted bail to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai eight days after his detention, according to his media aide.
In a statement issued Monday, Muyiwa Adekeye said El-Rufai has remained in custody since voluntarily honouring an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026. He was reportedly held by the EFCC until the night of February 18 before being transferred to ICPC custody.
Adekeye stated that El-Rufai’s lawyers submitted a bail application to the ICPC on February 19 but have yet to receive a response. He also alleged that no remand order authorising continued detention has been presented, despite the expiration of the constitutionally permitted 48-hour window for holding a suspect without charge.
At least two court proceedings involving El-Rufai are scheduled this week. A fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Federal Government, ICPC, EFCC, and the Department of State Services (DSS) is set for hearing on February 25 at the FCT High Court, seeking an order admitting him to bail. He is also expected to be arraigned the same day over charges reportedly filed by the DSS.
Providing further details, Adekeye said ICPC officials searched El-Rufai’s Aso Drive residence on February 19. His counsel, Ubong Akpan, described the search as unlawful, alleging that it was executed with a defective warrant. El-Rufai has approached the Federal High Court to challenge the validity of the warrant, citing lack of probable cause, overbreadth, and drafting errors.
The suit lists the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents. He is also seeking an injunction to prevent the use of items seized during the search in any proceedings against him.
Earlier, between February 16 and 18, El-Rufai was interrogated by the EFCC and granted administrative bail under conditions that reportedly required a serving federal permanent secretary as surety. His legal team sought a variation of those terms, but he remained in custody. His lawyer described the situation as unlawful detention and alleged restricted access to him by both legal representatives and family members.
