Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, is to remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) until March 19, 2026, pending either his arraignment on corruption charges or release on administrative bail.
The decision follows a court order directing the anti-corruption agency to continue holding him as it investigates allegations of corruption. El-Rufai was initially arrested by the ICPC on February 18, 2026, shortly after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had taken him into custody on February 16 over similar allegations.
Following his ICPC arrest, a 14-day remand order was obtained on February 19, expiring on March 5, 2026. Reports indicate that El-Rufai’s alleged lack of cooperation during this period may have prompted the request for an additional remand, now set to expire on March 19, by which time the commission is expected to conclude its investigation and decide on either filing charges or granting administrative bail.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is also pursuing separate allegations against El-Rufai related to the alleged wiretapping of communications of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Magistrate Okechukwu John Akweke of the Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, renewed the remand on March 5, following an application by ICPC’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha. The lawyer requested that the court issue a remand warrant to detain El-Rufai for a further 14 days to allow the commission to conclude its investigation into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.
In a brief ruling, the magistrate granted the application, ordering that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody for the additional 14 days to enable the completion of investigative activities.
