By Ayomide Otitoju
The family of former Nasir El-Rufai has called for his immediate and unconditional release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), asserting that his continued detention lacks legal basis.
In a statement signed by his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family said the former Federal Capital Territory minister has remained in custody despite the expiration of the legal order permitting his detention.
El-Rufai was first taken into custody on February 18, 2026, after responding to an ICPC invitation. A magistrate’s court issued a 14-day remand order on February 19 to allow for investigation. The family argues that this period has elapsed without the ICPC filing charges in a competent court or securing a fresh detention order. “As of today, there is no valid legal instrument authorising his detention,” the statement said, describing the continued custody as “unlawful.”
The development follows a raid on El-Rufai’s Abuja residence by ICPC operatives on February 19. The agency confirmed his detention in connection with an ongoing investigation but did not disclose specifics. His media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, said officials arrived around 2 p.m. to conduct the search.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the operation as “unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights.” The former governor has also filed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against the ICPC, challenging the validity of the search warrant. Led by Oluwole Iyamu, his legal team argues that the warrant was vague and violated constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
The case has drawn significant political attention, given El-Rufai’s recent criticisms of the Federal Government and his alignment with opposition forces in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The family insists that the ICPC must either formally charge El-Rufai or release him, warning that continued detention without legal authority undermines due process and the rule of law.
