Former Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai has been detained for eight days as of Feb. 23, 2026, without charges or a visible remand order, according to a statement from his media adviser.
El-Rufai voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Feb. 16 in response to an invitation.
He remained in EFCC custody until the night of Feb. 18, when he was transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) without explanation, the statement by Muyiwa Adekeye said.
Lawyers have received no response to a bail application and were not shown a remand order after the 48-hour detention limit expired, it added.
Two court matters involving El-Rufai are set for Feb. 25: a fundamental rights suit against the federal government, ICPC, EFCC, and State Security Service seeking bail, before the FCT High Court; and his arraignment on charges filed by the DSS.
Timeline of Events
Adekeye’s statement recapped developments since El-Rufai’s return to Nigeria on Feb. 12:
Feb. 23: El-Rufai filed a Federal High Court suit challenging an ICPC search of his Aso Drive residence on Feb. 19. The suit alleges the warrant lacked particularity, contained errors, was overly broad, and violated rights. It seeks to void the warrant and bar use of seized items.
Feb. 20: Further ICPC interrogation.
Feb. 19: ICPC searched El-Rufai’s home under what lawyer Ubong Akpan called a “defective warrant.” An unanswered bail application followed interrogation.
Feb. 16-18: After EFCC questioning, El-Rufai received administrative bail with strict conditions, including a federal permanent secretary surety. Lawyers sought variations but he stayed in custody. Access was limited; family couldn’t deliver meals directly, and he had a nosebleed episode. Transferred to ICPC Feb. 18 night.
Feb. 12: Airport officials seized El-Rufai’s passport in a failed arrest attempt despite his planned EFCC visit. ICPC invited him for Feb. 13; he proposed Feb. 18 via lawyers, citing prior EFCC commitment.
No security agency has commented publicly on the events.