Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), shortly after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
El-Rufai reportedly spent 48 hours in EFCC custody before being granted bail. However, in a fresh twist, he was subsequently transferred to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja in connection with ongoing investigations.
There were earlier reports suggesting that the Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested the former governor. The ICPC later clarified the situation, confirming that El-Rufai is currently in its custody.
In a statement issued Wednesday night, ICPC spokesperson J. Okor Odey said:
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, is in our custody as at close of work today, Wednesday, the 18th day of February, 2026. Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations.”
The Commission did not disclose specific details about the nature of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the DSS has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.
The charges stem from comments he made during an interview on Arise Television, where he alleged that the ICPC, acting on the directive of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had instructed the DSS to arrest him.
When asked how he obtained the information, El-Rufai claimed that someone had intercepted Ribadu’s phone conversations and that he personally heard the discussion.
Based on that claim, the DSS accused him of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, allegedly violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Prosecutors further alleged that El-Rufai admitted during the interview that he and others unlawfully intercepted the communications. Another count claimed he knew the individual responsible but failed to report the matter to relevant security agencies. Authorities also accused him and others still at large of using technical equipment in a manner that compromised national security.
Beyond the current legal developments, El-Rufai has also faced separate allegations of financial misconduct. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted him over the alleged diversion of N423 billion and money laundering, urging anti-graft agencies to investigate the claims.
The former governor denied the allegations and later filed a lawsuit against the Assembly, accusing it of attempting to tarnish his reputation.
As of the time of filing this report, El-Rufai’s legal representatives have yet to issue a fresh statement regarding his transfer to ICPC custody.
Post a Comment