Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has remained in detention for 17 days after voluntarily honouring an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with his legal team now challenging the legality of his continued custody and the search conducted at his residence.
In a statement issued on March 4 by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor’s camp provided updates on the developments surrounding his detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other federal agencies.
According to Adekeye, El-Rufai first visited the EFCC office on February 16, 2026, but was later transferred into the custody of the ICPC two days later.
“Federal Government agencies have detained Malam Nasir El-Rufai for 17 days, following his voluntary attendance at the EFCC office on Monday, 16th February 2026,” Adekeye said.
He added that the ICPC has been holding the former governor since it took custody of him from the EFCC on the night of February 18.
Family Disputes ICPC Claim
The statement also disclosed that the El-Rufai family recently rejected claims by the anti-corruption agency that wiretapping equipment was recovered during a search of the former governor’s residence.
“On 2nd March, the El-Rufai family debunked sensational, but false, claims by the ICPC that it recovered wiretapping equipment during its search of Malam El-Rufai’s residence,” Adekeye said.
He added that the former governor’s lawyers are preparing legal action against the commission over the allegation.
“El-Rufai’s lawyers have said that they will file action against the ICPC for making such defamatory claims,” the statement noted.
Remand Warrant to Expire
Adekeye further revealed that the ICPC had obtained a 14-day remand warrant to keep El-Rufai in custody.
“On 2nd March, the ICPC also disclosed that it is holding Malam El-Rufai in custody on a 14-day remand warrant it obtained on 19th February, and which would elapse on 5th March,” he said.
According to the adviser, the commission indicated plans to charge the former governor before or on the expiry of the remand period.
However, El-Rufai’s legal team has challenged the validity of the warrant as well as the legality of the search conducted on his residence.
Court Adjourns Case on Search Warrant
Adekeye said the case challenging the search warrant was heard on March 3 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court.
“The case on the legality of the search warrant came up on 3rd March before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik and was adjourned to 11th March to allow for all parties to be served,” he stated.
According to him, the former governor is seeking a declaration that the warrant is invalid.
“El-Rufai is seeking a declaration that the search warrant is invalid, for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth and lack of probable cause,” Adekeye said.
He added that El-Rufai is also asking the court to declare that the search violated his fundamental human rights and to restrain authorities from using any items recovered during the search in future proceedings.
Fundamental Rights Case Reassigned
The statement also disclosed that a separate fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai against the Federal Government and several security agencies has been reassigned.
Adekeye said Justice Hussaini Belgore of the FCT High Court had returned the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment after informing counsel that he would be proceeding on leave.
The suit lists the Federal Government, ICPC, EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS) as respondents.
Arraignment Did Not Hold
Adekeye further revealed that the DSS failed to produce El-Rufai in court for a scheduled arraignment on February 25.
“The scheduled arraignment of Malam El-Rufai by the DSS at the Federal High Court did not hold on 25th February. The prosecution did not produce him in court and asked for a two-week adjournment to enable them to do so,” he said.
According to the statement, El-Rufai’s lawyers opposed the request for adjournment.
“El-Rufai’s counsels argued that the DSS did not require an adjournment to produce him from the custody of a sister agency, the ICPC,” Adekeye stated.
The matter has now been adjourned to April 23, 2026.
“The court is yet to hear El-Rufai’s motions to quash the DSS charges and for bail,” he added.
