El-Rufai was initially detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and released late Wednesday, only to be immediately taken into ICPC custody, where he remains
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, spent a second consecutive night in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission following the search of his Abuja residence, prompting protests from his legal team.
El-Rufai was initially detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and released late Wednesday, only to be immediately taken into ICPC custody, where he remains.
Before his re-arrest, El-Rufai had informed the commission through his lawyers of his willingness to honour an invitation on Tuesday.
The detention follows an incident at the airport where operatives of the Department of State Services reportedly seized his passport.
An ICPC official confirmed Thursday night that El-Rufai was still with the commission but refused to disclose details of the investigation.
“He is still very much with us. I can’t say the offence he is being investigated for. I have not really been in the office, but I was informed that the former Kaduna State governor is still with us,” the source said.
The ICPC had earlier confirmed taking custody of El-Rufai on Wednesday night without revealing the offence under probe.
Unverified reports suggest the investigation may be linked to the failed N11.1bn Joint Venture Kaduna light rail project, though efforts to confirm this independently were unsuccessful.
Calls and messages to the ICPC spokesman, John Odey, went unanswered.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, said on X that ICPC operatives searched the former governor’s Aso Drive residence in Abuja.
His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the search, describing it as unlawful and a violation of due process and fundamental rights.
“The Aso Drive residence of Malam Nasir @elrufai was today searched by the ICPC. Ubong Akpan, Malam El-Rufai’s lawyer, condemned the action as unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights,” Adekeye posted on X.
Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
koikimedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep