ICPC Seeks 14 More Days to Hold El-Rufai as Court Rules Tuesday

ICPC Seeks 14 More Days to Hold El-Rufai as Court Rules Tuesday

A magistrate court in Abuja will on Tuesday deliver its ruling on an application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission seeking an additional 14 days to keep former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai in custody.

The presiding magistrate, Okechukwu Akweke, fixed March 17 for the ruling after hearing arguments on the anti-graft agency’s request for an extension of the former governor’s detention.

El-Rufai has been held since February 18, 2026, as investigators probe allegations bordering on money laundering and the illegal interception of the communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The ICPC had earlier secured a 14-day remand order from a magistrate court in Bwari, Abuja, on February 19, 2026, to facilitate its investigation. That order expired on March 5.

Following the expiration of the remand order, lawyers and supporters of the former governor criticised his continued detention, insisting it was no longer backed by any valid court order.

They argued that the commission should either release him immediately or formally arraign him before a competent court if it had sufficient evidence to prosecute.

El-Rufai has also approached the Federal Capital Territory High Court with a fundamental rights enforcement suit, challenging what he described as prolonged and unlawful detention.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Department of State Services, the ICPC and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The ICPC, however, has rejected claims that the former governor’s rights were violated.

The commission maintained that it obtained a valid remand order permitting it to hold the former governor for investigative purposes, adding that such orders could be renewed pending the conclusion of its probe.

The court’s decision on Tuesday is expected to determine whether the anti-corruption agency will be allowed to extend El-Rufai’s detention or be compelled to release or charge him in court.