The family of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has called for his immediate and unconditional release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), insisting that his continued detention has no legal basis.
In a statement issued by the family and signed by his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, they argued that the former Federal Capital Territory minister has remained in ICPC custody despite the expiration of the legal order that initially permitted his detention.
According to the family, El-Rufai was first taken into custody on February 18, 2026, after responding to an invitation from the anti-graft agency. A magistrate’s court subsequently issued a remand order on February 19, granting the ICPC permission to detain him for 14 days while investigations were ongoing.
The family, however, said the detention period had already expired and that the ICPC had neither filed charges in a competent court nor obtained a fresh order to continue holding him.
“As of today, there is no valid legal instrument authorising his detention,” the family said, describing the development as unlawful and urging the anti-corruption agency to release him immediately.
The demand follows a growing legal and political dispute that began after ICPC officials raided El-Rufai’s residence in Abuja.
Operatives of the agency searched the former governor’s home in the Federal Capital Territory on February 19, shortly after confirming that he was in custody in connection with an ongoing investigation.
His media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, said the officials arrived at the residence around 2 p.m. and conducted a search of the property.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, criticised the operation, describing it as unlawful and a clear violation of established legal procedures and fundamental rights.
While the ICPC earlier confirmed that the former governor was being held over an ongoing investigation, the agency did not disclose specific details regarding the case.
The search of the residence has since triggered further legal action from the former governor, who filed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the anti-graft commission, alleging that the raid on his Abuja residence was unlawful.
Through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu, El-Rufai is asking the court to declare that the search warrant used by the ICPC was invalid and unconstitutional.
He argued that the warrant lacked proper specificity and violated his constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
The case has drawn significant political attention, especially following El-Rufai’s recent criticisms of the Federal Government and his growing alignment with opposition forces in the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings, the former governor’s family maintains that the ICPC must either formally charge him in court or release him, warning that continued detention without lawful authority undermines due process and the rule of law.
What you should know
Nasir El-Rufai served as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023 and previously held the position of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Known for his outspoken political views, he has recently been associated with opposition movements ahead of the 2027 elections.
His detention by the ICPC has generated debate over due process, political influence, and the independence of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions.
