El-Rufai’s Aide Accuses ICPC Of Refusing To Act On Ex-Governor’s Bail Application

Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has not responded to his principal’s request for bail, eight days after he was taken into custody.

In a post shared on X on Monday night, Adekeye stated that El-Rufai turned himself in at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, following an invitation.

“Today marks eight days since Malam Nasir El-Rufai was detained. He voluntarily reported at the EFCC in the morning of Monday, February 16, 2026, in response to an invitation,” he wrote.

He explained that El-Rufai was first held by the EFCC until the evening of February 18, before being transferred to the ICPC.

According to him, the former governor’s lawyers have not received any response to their bail application.

He also said they have not been shown any court order allowing his continued detention, even though more than 48 hours have passed without charges being filed.

“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,” Adekeye added.

Adekeye said two separate court cases involving El-Rufai are expected to be heard this week.

He stated, “The 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 added that El-Rufai “is scheduled for arraignment on the same date on the widely publicised charges filed by the DSS.”

The aide further disclosed that the former governor has filed a case at the Federal High Court challenging the legality of a search carried out at his Abuja home on February 19.

He said the suit seeks 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.”

El-Rufai is asking the court to declare the search unlawful and to stop authorities from using any items seized during the operation against him.

Giving a timeline of events, Adekeye said ICPC officials searched El-Rufai’s house on February 19 and questioned him again on February 20.

He said a bail request was submitted after the interrogation, but there has been no reply.

He also said that during El-Rufai’s earlier detention by the EFCC from February 16 to 18, he was granted administrative bail with conditions, including providing a serving federal permanent secretary as surety.

His lawyers were said to be seeking a review of those terms.

Adekeye quoted El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, as describing his continued detention as unlawful.

He also claimed that it has been difficult for family members and lawyers to gain access to him, and that his lawyers reported he suffered a nosebleed overnight while in custody.

The statement further alleged that on February 12, El-Rufai’s passport was taken from him at the airport during what was described as an unsuccessful attempt to arrest him. His lawyers reportedly condemned that action.

Adekeye said the ICPC later sent a formal invitation letter, and El-Rufai’s lawyers responded that he would appear on February 18.

The former governor is currently facing several legal matters involving security and anti-corruption agencies, including pending charges, ongoing investigations, and lawsuits he has filed to challenge his detention and the search of his residence.

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