Concerns over the welfare of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai have intensified, with his media aide alleging that he suffered a nosebleed while in detention and that his wife was prevented from delivering his meal directly.
Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai’s media adviser, disclosed that the former governor has been in custody for eight days after voluntarily reporting to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, in response to an invitation.
According to Adekeye, although El-Rufai was interrogated and granted administrative bail, he remained detained while his lawyers sought variations to the bail conditions. On the evening of February 17, one of his wives was reportedly barred from delivering his meal directly and was instead asked to hand it over to EFCC officials.
Adekeye further revealed that El-Rufai experienced an overnight nosebleed, raising concerns over his health and access to family and legal counsel. On February 18, he was transferred from the EFCC to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) without prior notice to him or his legal team.
Since the transfer, his lawyers have applied for bail, but no response has been received, and no remand order has been presented to justify his continued detention beyond the constitutionally allowed period.
El-Rufai is scheduled to appear in court on February 25 for a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC, and the Department of State Services, seeking an order for his release on bail.
Adekeye warned that the alleged treatment of El-Rufai in detention raises serious questions about his welfare and the observance of due process as legal proceedings advance.
