THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has yet to grant bail to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, eight days after he was first detained, sparking growing concerns from his legal team and family members.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria late on Monday, his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed that El-Rufai has remained in custody since February 16, 2026, when he voluntarily honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Adekeye, El-Rufai was initially interrogated by the EFCC between February 16 and 18. Late on February 18, he was transferred to the custody of the ICPC.
His legal team formally submitted a bail application to the ICPC on February 19. However, as of Monday, no response had been received.
The prolonged detention has raised questions over compliance with constitutional provisions, particularly the 48-hour limit for holding a suspect without charge, except where a valid court remand order is obtained.
Adekeye stated that El-Rufai’s lawyers have not been presented with any remand order authorising his continued detention beyond the constitutional timeframe.
During his time with the EFCC, El-Rufai was reportedly granted administrative bail. One of the conditions required him to produce a serving federal permanent secretary as surety.
His lawyers sought a variation of the bail conditions, describing some of the requirements as onerous. Despite this, he remained in custody.
Ubong Akpan, a member of his legal team, characterised the situation as unlawful detention, alleging that both lawyers and family members have encountered difficulty gaining access to him.
The legal battle surrounding the former governor is expected to intensify this week, with at least two court proceedings scheduled for February 25.
A fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS) is slated for hearing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The suit seeks an order admitting El-Rufai to bail.
On the same day, he is also scheduled to be arraigned over charges reportedly filed by the DSS.
The controversy deepened on February 19 when ICPC officials searched El-Rufai’s residence on Aso Drive in Abuja.
His lawyer condemned the operation, describing it as unlawful and conducted with a defective warrant.
Subsequently, El-Rufai approached the Federal High Court seeking to invalidate the search warrant on grounds including lack of probable cause, overbreadth and alleged drafting errors.
The suit lists the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the Federal Capital Territory, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.
He is also seeking an injunction restraining authorities from using items seized during the search in any proceedings against him.
El-Rufai’s continued detention has drawn significant public and political attention, given his status as a former governor and prominent political figure.
As of press time, the ICPC had not issued an official statement explaining the delay in responding to the bail application.