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Ex Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai may regain his freedom on Thursday if formal charges are not filed before his current detention expires, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has indicated
The development puts the commission firmly on the clock. Investigators must now either file charges or release the former governor, a moment already drawing keen political interest.
Vanguard reliably gathered that a Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, on February 19, 2026, approved the former governor’s detention for 14 days to allow investigators probe allegations of money laundering and abuse of office linked to his tenure in Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the detention followed a petition accusing El-Rufai of financial misconduct during his eight years in office.
“The order granted the Commission fourteen days within which to conclude investigation and file appropriate charges in court before Thursday,” a source stated.
El-Rufai is contesting the raid on his residence at No. 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja, and his continued detention, maintaining that the action against him is unlawful.
ICPC, however, insisted the February 19 search of the residence was properly authorised and conducted on csmera in the presence of members of the former governor’s family.
But the former governor’s family has strongly pushed back, describing the claim as fabricated and politically motivated.
Investigators had earlier invited El-Rufai for questioning in a letter served on February 12. He was later taken into ICPC custody after a brief stay with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission between February 16 and 18.
The situation has drawn heightened political attention amid the former governor’s recent criticisms of the Tinubu administration and his reported alignment with opposition forces ahead of the 2027 election cycle
Unless fresh steps are taken by the commission, the current detention is expected to lapse on Thursday.
The ICPC said it is investigating Mr Elrufai over a petition submitted against him in 2024, and for which it has obtained several relevant documents from banks and other agencies of government.
The petition, filed by Nus’ab Chambers in June 2024, alleged diversion of state funds, mismanagement of loans obtained, and violations of procurement laws in the awards of projects.
But Mr El-Rufai refused to answer the questions asked by the ICPC prosecutors in custody, according to his statements and affidavits by the ICPC prosecutor.
Up until 26 February, Mr El-Rufai had not answered any questions relating to the petitions when confronted, the ICPC prosecutor said.
“In response to your question (and indeed all your questions), I have, on the advice of counsel, decided to exercise my right to silence,” Mr El-Rufai wrote. “I will make no further statement or respond to any question.”
Mr Elrufai used more than half of the statements to tell the ICPC about his life and background –where he was born, the schools he attended and the jobs he has taken up in the last 26 years.
He also told the ICPC he is retired and currently resides mostly in Egypt alongside his aged mother.
However, he refused to respond to the allegations laid out to him by the interrogators, asking them to present their findings before a court and not to him.
“I will respond to these documents and questions only when presented in a court of law,” he said in another statement written at the ICPC custody on 20 February.
SB E-news.
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