THE family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has demanded his immediate and unconditional release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), arguing that his continued detention lacks legal justification.
In a statement signed by his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family said the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory remains in ICPC custody despite the expiration of the court order that initially permitted his detention.
According to the statement, El-Rufai was taken into custody on February 18, 2026, after honouring an invitation from the anti-corruption agency.
A magistrate’s court reportedly granted a remand order the following day, allowing the ICPC to detain him for 14 days while investigations were ongoing.
However, the family maintains that the remand period has since elapsed and that the agency has neither filed formal charges in a competent court nor obtained a fresh court order to justify his continued detention.
They described the situation as unlawful and urged the commission to release him immediately.
The statement follows a series of legal and political developments surrounding the investigation, including a search conducted by ICPC officials at El-Rufai’s Abuja residence on February 19.
His media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, said operatives arrived at the property around 2 p.m. and carried out a search shortly after confirming the former governor was already in custody.
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, criticised the operation, describing it as a violation of established legal procedures and the former governor’s fundamental rights.
While the ICPC has acknowledged that El-Rufai is being held in connection with an ongoing investigation, it has not publicly disclosed specific details of the case.
The raid on his residence has also prompted further legal action.
Through his legal team led by Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), the former governor has filed a ₦1 billion suit seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights.
He is asking the court to declare the search warrant used by the ICPC invalid and unconstitutional, arguing that it lacked sufficient detail and violated his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy.
The case has drawn significant political attention, particularly in light of El-Rufai’s recent criticisms of the Federal Government and his growing association with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the ongoing investigation and legal battle, the family insists that the ICPC must either formally charge the former governor in court or release him, warning that continued detention without lawful authority undermines due process and the rule of law.
