Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, will remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) until March 19, 2026, pending either his arraignment on corruption charges or release on administrative bail.
This follows a court ruling allowing the anti-graft agency to retain him while it completes an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct and abuse of office during his administration.
El-Rufai was arrested by the ICPC on February 18, shortly after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had taken him into custody on February 16 over similar allegations. The ICPC initially obtained a 14-day remand order, which expired on March 5, 2026.
Reports suggest that the former governor’s alleged refusal to fully cooperate with investigators during the initial remand may have prompted the request for an extension, which now runs until March 19. By that date, the commission is expected to conclude its inquiry and either file formal charges or grant administrative bail.
Magistrate Okechukwu John Akweke of a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, had on March 5 renewed the earlier remand order of February 19, approving El-Rufai’s detention for another 14 days pending the completion of investigations.
The extension followed an application by ICPC’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, who requested “An order of this Honourable Court issuing a remand warrant against the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) in favour of the Applicant i.e. Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to detain the Respondent … for another fourteen (14) days pending conclusion of investigation activities on allegations of Money Laundering/abuse of office.”
In a brief ruling, the Magistrate granted the request saying “The Applicant i.e. the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission ICPC is hereby ordered to re-detain the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) for additional 14 days to enable the commission conclude investigation activities.”
Further proceedings are expected on March 19, when investigators are likely to update the court on the status of their probe and indicate whether formal charges will be filed.
