The controversy surrounding El-Rufai unlawful detention has intensified after the family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, publicly condemned what they described as his prolonged and unjustified incarceration by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, March 6, 2026, the family accused the anti graft agency of holding the former governor without formally charging him in a court of competent jurisdiction. They argued that despite extensive searches conducted on his properties and several detention approvals, authorities have failed to present concrete charges that justify his continued detention.
According to sources close to the family, the former governor has now spent more than two weeks in custody without a clear legal framework outlining when or how his prosecution will begin. The family claimed that although the commission has remained active in public communications and court filings, it has yet to file a formal charge against the politician.
They described the situation as an abuse of state authority and insisted that the detention has gone beyond the constitutional limits for holding a suspect without trial under Nigerian law. The family also maintained that El-Rufai has cooperated with investigators within the boundaries of his legal rights.
A spokesperson for the family expressed concern about the impact of the detention on the former governor’s wellbeing. According to the statement, the psychological strain of remaining in custody without trial is becoming increasingly worrying. The family challenged the commission to take the matter to court where the allegations can be properly examined and defended.
The statement also dismissed claims linked to items reportedly recovered during searches of his residence, including electronic devices and documents related to foreign loans. The family argued that the existence of such materials does not automatically prove wrongdoing or misappropriation of public funds.
They further rejected allegations of non cooperation, emphasizing that refusing to provide passwords to personal electronic devices falls under constitutional protections against self incrimination.
Meanwhile, the legal team representing El-Rufai has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit seeking damages of N1 billion. The lawyers argue that the continued detention represents a violation of his constitutional rights and warned that the situation could set a troubling precedent for Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
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The legal representatives also urged authorities to either grant him bail or immediately present charges before a competent court. According to them, the anti corruption agency has already had sufficient time to conclude its preliminary investigations.
With the initial detention deadline already expired, tensions continue to grow between supporters of the former governor and federal authorities. Several civil society groups have also called for transparency, urging the government to ensure that anti corruption efforts do not become instruments for political persecution.
For now, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has not announced when the former governor might be arraigned. Meanwhile, the family of Nasir El-Rufai insists it will pursue every available legal option to challenge what it describes as a serious injustice.