The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has yet to grant bail to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai eight days after his detention, raising concerns among his legal team and family.
In a statement released Monday, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai’s media adviser, said the former governor has remained in custody since voluntarily honouring an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026.
According to Adekeye, El-Rufai was initially held by the EFCC before being transferred to ICPC custody on the night of February 18.
His lawyers reportedly filed an application for bail on February 19 but have yet to receive a response.
The aide also noted that the legal team has not been presented with any remand order authorising continued detention beyond the constitutionally permitted 48-hour period without charge.
Court Actions and Legal Disputes
Adekeye disclosed that two court matters involving El-Rufai are scheduled for hearing this week.
A fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Federal Government, ICPC, EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS) is slated for February 25 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, seeking an order for his release on bail.
He is also expected to be arraigned the same day over charges reportedly filed by the DSS.
Providing a timeline of events, Adekeye said ICPC officials searched El-Rufai’s residence on Aso Drive on February 19.
His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the operation, describing it as unlawful and executed with a defective warrant.
El-Rufai has since approached the Federal High Court seeking to invalidate the search warrant, citing lack of probable cause, overbreadth and drafting errors.
The suit names 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 preventing the use of items seized during the search in any proceedings.
Earlier, between February 16 and 18, El-Rufai was interrogated by the EFCC and granted administrative bail under conditions that included providing a serving federal permanent secretary as surety.
His lawyers applied for a variation of the bail terms, but he remained in custody.
Akpan described the continued detention as unlawful and said both legal representatives and family members have experienced difficulty gaining access to him.
As of press time, the ICPC had not issued an official response to the concerns raised by his legal team
