Olayiwola Matthew
A former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is yet to secure a response from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on his application for bail, his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye said on Monday.
El-Rufai voluntarily reported at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, February 16, following an invitation.
He was held at the EFCC until the night of Wednesday, February 18 when he was transferred to the ICPC.
According to Adekeye, his lawyers say no remand order has been shown to them, despite the 48-hour window for holding a person without charge having lapsed.
In a post on X on Monday, Adekeye stated that El-Rufai is scheduled for arraignment on February 25 on charges filed by the Department of State Services.
On the same day, the Federal Capital Territory High Court is set to hear his fundamental rights case against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the DSS, seeking an order to admit him to bail.
Adekeye wrote, “Today marks eight days since Malam Nasir El-Rufai was detained. He voluntarily reported at the EFCC in the morning of Monday, 16th February 2026 in response to an invitation. He has been held since, first by the EFCC which kept him in custody until the night of Wednesday, 18 February when he was moved to the ICPC.
“As at today, his lawyers have not received any response from the ICPC to their application for bail; and they have not been shown any remand order as the 48-hour window for holding a person without charge has expired.
“This week, the courts would entertain at least two matters related to Malam El-Rufai. Hearing in his fundamental rights case against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the DSS has been fixed for 25th February. This case, which is before the FCT High Court, is seeking an order to admit him to bail.
“He is scheduled for arraignment on the same date on the widely publicised charges filed by the DSS.”
The detention follows a series of events since El-Rufai returned to Nigeria on February 12.
According to a timeline of events provided by Adekeye, at the airport, El-Rufai’s passport was seized during a failed arrest attempt, which his lawyers condemned as unlawful.
Hours later, the ICPC issued a letter requesting him to report on February 13.
El-Rufai proposed to comply on February 18.
Adekeye stated that between February 16 and 18 , he remained in EFCC custody, despite being granted administrative bail under conditions including having a serving federal permanent secretary as surety.
His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, described the continued detention as unlawful, adding that access to him by family and lawyers was restricted.
On February 19 , the ICPC searched El-Rufai’s residence on Aso Drive.
Akpan condemned the search as “unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights,” saying it was executed under a defective warrant.
He added that an application for bail submitted afterward has yet to receive any response.
Adekeye stated that El-Rufai subsequently filed a suit at the Federal High Court on February 23, seeking a declaration that the search warrant was invalid, citing lack of particularity, ambiguity, overbreadth and absence of probable cause.
The suit also seeks to prevent the use of items seized during the search in any proceedings against him.
According to Adekeye, further interrogation by the ICPC continued on February 20.
