By Abiola Olawale
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has broken his silence from custody, decrying his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as a “brazen illegality” and a violation of his fundamental human rights.
In a scathing statements released through his legal team, El-Rufai alleged that the anti-graft agency has transitioned from a legitimate investigative body to a tool for “state-sponsored political persecution.”
According to El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Ubong Akpan, the primary legal basis for the former governor’s detention has completely evaporated.
Akpan said the “purported” 14-day remand order against el-Rufai, issued by a magistrate court on February 19, expired on March 4.
The ex-minister has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 19 after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ICPC is yet to file charges against el-Rufai. However, the anti-graft agency had obtained statements from him in line with standard operating practice.
Akpan said the prolonged detention of his client by ICPC violates the Penal Code provisions on wrongful confinement with intent to cessation of political activity and restraint.
He added that the ICPC “cannot operate as both accuser and incarcerator, detaining citizens indefinitely without due process while peddling falsehoods to deflect from their own criminality”.
The statement reads in part: “Since the night of 18 February 2026, when operatives under the direction of the Director General of the Department of State Services unlawfully rendered Mallam El-Rufai from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission custody — where he had voluntarily reported on 16 February 2026 and been granted administrative bail — the ICPC has held him hostage without charge.
“The purported 14-day remand order, issued on 19 February 2026 by a magistrate court lacking jurisdiction over the alleged offences, expired on 4 March 2026 and was never served on my client or his counsel, rendering it void ab initio and the continued confinement patently illegal.
“This is not law enforcement; it is state-sponsored extortion and abuse of power, further evidenced by the arbitrary revocation of bail for associates like Mr. Joel Adoga, who was detained for refusing to fabricate confessions.
“Mallam El-Rufai has consistently challenged the ICPC to charge him in court if any evidence exists, a demand he has made publicly and in writing since 16 February 2026.
“Their resounding silence, coupled with these malicious leaks, confirms the absence of any substantive case and reveals a politically motivated witch-hunt.
“We have initiated criminal complaint proceedings against the Chairman, the DSS Director General, and other implicated officers, seeking their personal accountability for these crimes.
“The ICPC cannot operate as both accuser and incarcerator, detaining citizens indefinitely without due process while peddling falsehoods to deflect from their own criminality.
“We demand the immediate release of Mallam El-Rufai or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
