El-Rufai may be released Thursday if charges not filed — ICPC

2026-03-02 - 16:57

By Luminous Jannamike ABUJA – Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai may regain his freedom on Thursday if formal charges are not filed before his current detention expires, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has indicated. The development puts the commission firmly on the clock. Investigators must now either file charges or release the former governor, a moment already drawing keen political interest. Vanguard reliably gathered that a Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, on February 19, 2026, approved the former governor’s detention for 14 days to allow investigators probe allegations of money laundering and abuse of office linked to his tenure in Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the detention followed a petition accusing El-Rufai of financial misconduct during his eight years in office. “The order granted the Commission fourteen days within which to conclude investigation and file appropriate charges in court before Thursday,” a source stated. El-Rufai is contesting the raid on his residence at No. 12 Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja, and his continued detention, maintaining that the action against him is unlawful. ICPC, however, insisted the February 19 search of the residence was properly authorised and conducted in the presence of members of the former governor’s family. But the former governor’s family has strongly pushed back, describing the claim as fabricated and politically motivated. Investigators had earlier invited El-Rufai for questioning in a letter served on February 12. He was later taken into ICPC custody after a brief stay with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission between February 16 and 18. The situation has drawn heightened political attention amid the former governor’s recent criticisms of the Tinubu administration and his reported alignment with opposition forces ahead of the 2027 election cycle. Unless fresh steps are taken by the commission, the current detention is expected to lapse on Thursday.