March 6, 2026
SUNTV Global Channel – News
The family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has called for his immediate release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleging that his continued detention is unlawful and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Friday, the family said the anti-graft agency is still holding the former governor despite the expiration of the legal authority that initially permitted his detention.
The statement was signed by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency. He explained that he had initially avoided commenting publicly on the matter but decided to speak out to clarify the circumstances surrounding his father’s detention.
According to him, the last time he visited his father in custody, the former governor was waiting to be formally charged in court.
He disclosed that El-Rufai was first taken into custody on February 18, 2026, after which the ICPC obtained a remand order from a magistrate court on February 19.
However, the family argued that the remand order was defective and only allowed the anti-corruption agency to detain him for a maximum of 14 days.
They said the detention period has now expired without any formal charges being filed against the former governor or any fresh court order authorising his continued custody.
According to the family, the failure of the ICPC to either charge El-Rufai before a competent court or release him constitutes a clear violation of due process and the rule of law.
They further accused the commission of abusing its powers and using the case as a political tool against the former governor.
“The ICPC has failed in its basic responsibility to either charge him before a court of competent jurisdiction or release him. Their refusal to do so strengthens our fears that the agency is being used for political persecution rather than justice,” the statement said.
The family therefore demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the former Kaduna governor.
Meanwhile, the dispute follows earlier claims by the ICPC that its operatives recovered sensitive materials during a search of El-Rufai’s residence in Abuja. According to court affidavits reportedly filed by the commission, investigators allegedly found electronic equipment capable of tapping conversations as well as security documents that could compromise national security.
But Mohammed El-Rufai dismissed the allegations, insisting that no specialised surveillance equipment was discovered during the search carried out in the presence of the former governor’s wife and family members.
He also defended his father’s decision to remain silent during questioning by investigators, stating that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right not to answer questions during an investigation.
The family warned that it may take legal action against the anti-graft agency over what it described as defamatory claims and unlawful detention.
The ICPC has yet to publicly respond to the latest demands from the El-Rufai family.
