El-Rufai yet to receive ICPC response on bail request, aide says
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has not received any response from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) regarding his application for bail, his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed on Monday.
El-Rufai reportedly honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, and was held in custody until the night of February 18, when he was transferred to the ICPC.
According to Adekeye, the former governor’s legal team has not been presented with any remand order authorising his continued detention, despite the constitutional 48-hour limit for holding a suspect without charge having expired.
In a statement shared on X, Adekeye noted that El-Rufai is expected to be arraigned on February 25 on charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). On the same day, the Federal Capital Territory High Court is scheduled to hear his fundamental rights suit against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the DSS, in which he is seeking bail.
READ ALSO: Nasir El-Rufai files ₦1bn suit against ICPC over illegal search of Abuja home
“Today marks eight days since Malam Nasir El-Rufai was detained,” Adekeye wrote, maintaining that no formal response has been received from the ICPC concerning the bail application.
The detention follows events that began after El-Rufai’s return to Nigeria on February 12. His aide alleged that his passport was seized at the airport during what his lawyers described as a failed arrest attempt. Subsequently, the ICPC invited him to report on February 13, though he indicated he would appear on February 18.
Adekeye further stated that between February 16 and 18, El-Rufai remained in EFCC custody despite reportedly being granted administrative bail under certain conditions, including the provision of a serving federal permanent secretary as surety. His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, reportedly described the continued detention and restricted access to family and counsel as unlawful.
On February 19, ICPC operatives conducted a search at El-Rufai’s residence on Aso Drive. His legal team criticised the action, arguing that the warrant was defective and violated his fundamental rights.
READ ALSO: ICPC takes El-Rufai into custody amid ongoing investigations
El-Rufai has since approached the Federal High Court, filing a suit on February 23 challenging the validity of the search warrant on grounds including alleged lack of specificity, ambiguity, overbreadth and absence of probable cause. He is also seeking to bar the use of any items recovered during the search in subsequent proceedings.
Further developments are expected as the scheduled court hearings approach.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
