The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has demanded his immediate and unconditional release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a statement issued on Friday, the family said the continued detention of the former governor by the anti-graft agency had no legal basis.
The statement was signed by Bello El-Rufai, son of the former governor and a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency.
According to the family, El-Rufai was initially taken into custody on February 18 before the ICPC obtained a remand order from a magistrate’s court on February 19.
They described the order as defective, noting that it permitted only a 14-day detention period, which had already elapsed.
“As of today, March 6, 2026, Nasir El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody under circumstances that have no basis in law. We state categorically that there is currently no valid legal instrument authorizing his detention,” the statement read.
The family said the detention order had expired without the ICPC filing charges against the former governor before a competent court.
“Following his detention, the ICPC obtained a remand order from a magistrate court on February 19. However, this order was defective from the outset and, by law, provided only a 14-day window for his detention.
“That 14-day period has now ended. The ICPC has not charged him with any offense in a competent court. Neither have they secured a fresh or extended lawful order to continue detaining him,” the statement added.
They further described the continued detention as unlawful.
“Despite the expiration of any legal cover for his detention, the ICPC persists in holding him. This is no longer a matter of lawful procedure; it is unlawful, brazen self-help,” the family said.
The family also alleged that the anti-corruption agency was being used as a tool for political persecution.
The statement added, “The path forward is clear and logical: release him immediately.
“Their refusal to do so confirms what we have long feared, that the ICPC is being wielded as a tool for political persecution rather than operating as an impartial institution of justice.”
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 19 after he was earlier released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
