ICPC told to charge or release Nasir El-Rufai

Lawyers and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have criticized the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) granted him bail.

The ICPC got a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja on February 19, 2026. That order expired on March 5, 2026.

Because the order has expired, El-Rufai’s lawyers, family members, and supporters say it is illegal to keep holding him without charging him in court or getting another court order.

Family and Lawyer React

El-Rufai’s son, Bello El-Rufai, said the ICPC should release his father immediately.

According to him:

The 14-day detention period has ended.

The ICPC has not charged El-Rufai in court.

No new court order has been obtained to keep him in custody.

El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, has also written to the ICPC chairman demanding ₦15.6 billion in damages, saying his client’s detention violates his fundamental rights.

El-Rufai has claimed the investigation against him is politically motivated. He also questioned the legality of the search conducted at his Abuja residence on February 19.

Attempts to get a response from the ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, were unsuccessful.

Lawyers Speak on the Detention

Several lawyers said that keeping someone in custody without legal authority raises serious concerns.

Barrister Abba Hikima said suspects should not be detained for long without being charged.

He explained that ideally, investigations should be completed before an arrest is made.

Barrister Yusuf Ali Faragai said the Nigerian Constitution requires suspects to be brought before a court quickly unless a valid detention order exists.

Barrister Huwaila Muhammad Ibrahim of the Nigerian Bar Association said suspects should normally be taken to court within 24 hours, except when a court allows more time.

She added that if the ICPC needs more time for investigation, it should return to court and request an extension.

Senior Advocate Salman Jawondo said law enforcement agencies must follow the Constitution when detaining suspects. According to him, detention should not be used as punishment.

Another Senior Advocate, Adebayo Adelodun, said it is difficult to judge the situation without seeing the exact court order the ICPC obtained.

Similarly, Taiye Oniyide (SAN) said the legality of the detention depends on whether the ICPC has obtained another court order or extension.

Barrister Chibueze Maduka explained that after the order expired on March 6, the ICPC had three options:

Charge El-Rufai in court

Release him

Apply for an extension of the detention order

If none of these steps was taken, he said the detention would be unlawful.

ADC Demands His Release

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for El-Rufai’s immediate release.

The party’s spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi said the Constitution does not allow anyone to be held indefinitely.

He accused the government of ignoring the rule of law and said fighting corruption through unlawful methods is also wrong.

Other ADC members and supporters also expressed concern about the continued detention.

Former Kaduna commissioner Hafsat Baba said government institutions must follow the Constitution.

Former Kaduna State deputy speaker Muktar Isa Hazo said many supporters are worried because El-Rufai has been held for more than 18 days without appearing in court.

Barrister Muhammad I. Zaria also said that if authorities want to continue holding him, they should apply to the court properly.

Peterside Criticizes the Detention

Banker Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, also criticized the situation.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said it appears that the ICPC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may have worked together to detain El-Rufai without charging him in court.

He said this could violate both the spirit and the letter of the Nigerian Constitution.