₦airaland Forum

A former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, is to remain in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), till March 19, 2026, pending his arraignment on corruption charges or release on administrative bail.

This was sequel to an order of court directing the anti-corruption agency to continue to keep him in custody over investigation of corruption allegations.

The ICPC had on February 18, arrested El-Rufai, with the view of interrogating him on series of petitions lodged against him at the commission.

His arrest was immediately after his release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had on February 16, taken the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into custody over similar corruption allegations.

After his arrest on February 18, the ICPC, the following day obtained a remand order for 14 days, which expired on March 5, 2026.

However, the alleged refusal of El-Rufai to “cooperate” with investigators of the commission within the duration of the first remand order might have necessitated the request for another remand order, which would now expire on March 19, 2026.

By this time, it was believed that the commission would have concluded its investigation and either filed charges against the former governor or granted him administrative bail.

Besides, the anti-corruption agencies, the Department of State Service (DSS), was seeking the prosecution of El-Rufai over alleged wiretapping of the communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

THISDAY learnt that Magistrate Okechukwu John Akweke of a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, had on March 5, renewed the earlier one of February 19, approving the detention of El-Rufai for another 14 days, pending the conclusion of investigations.

The extension of the remand order was sequel to an application brought and argued by ICPC’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha.

The lawyer had specifically sought, “An order of this Honourable Court issuing a remand warrant against the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) in favour of the Applicant i.e. Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to detain the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) in its custody for another fourteen (14) days pending conclusion of investigation activities on allegations of Money Laundering/abuse of office.”

In a short ruling, the Magistrate ordered that: Application granted as prayed.

“That the Applicant i.e. the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission ICPC is hereby ordered to re-detain the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) for additional 14 days to enable the commission conclude investigation activities.”

Richtaiwo:
Honestly, I used to think El-Rufai was intelligent, until he went national and announced that he had been tapping the NSA’s phone calls.

Like seriously? What was he thinking? In an era when soldiers on the front lines are constantly walking into ambushes, this is the kind of move he makes? Clearly, I overrated him.

Charge: “Interception of the National Security Adviser’s Phone Call”

Judge: Prosecutor, proceed.

Prosecutor: On Friday, February 13, 2026, Mr. Nasir claimed that someone tapped the phone call of the National Security Adviser and provided the information to him.

Judge: Do you have evidence that the phone call of the NSA was intercepted?

Prosecutor: Yes, My Lord.

Judge: What is your evidence?

Prosecutor: He said it himself. His own admission is my evidence.

Defense: My Lord, are we now prosecuting people for what they say without proof that the act occurred?

Prosecutor: If someone publicly claims to have committed an offense, that is sufficient basis for prosecution.

Defense: So if someone claims on television that they can fly, do we charge them for violating aviation laws?

Prosecutor: That is different.

Defense: How?

Prosecutor: Because flying without authorization is impossible.

Defense: And intercepting the NSA’s phone call without access, tools, infrastructure, or evidence is…?

Judge: Prosecutor, do you have technical evidence? Call logs? Forensic data? Telecom confirmation?

Prosecutor: No, My Lord. But he said it.

Defense: So the State’s case is built on a headline?

Prosecutor: On his statement.

Defense: Then by that standard, every exaggeration, boast, or political rhetoric becomes a criminal confession?

Judge: Prosecutor, is the court to understand that you have no independent verification that any interception occurred?

Prosecutor: That is correct, My Lord.

Judge: Then what exactly has been intercepted here? A phone call… or common sense?

Richtaiwo:
Honestly, I used to think El-Rufai was intelligent, until he went national and announced that he had been tapping the NSA’s phone calls.

Like seriously? What was he thinking? In an era when soldiers on the front lines are constantly walking into ambushes, this is the kind of move he makes? Clearly, I overrated him.

Kalashnikov49:
These SW people don show Northerners shege.

Sarki dey inside cell
Malami dey inside cell
El Rufai dey inside cell
..and others they use EFCC, ICPC. to hound and imprison.

Anyway, all of them dey join Nnamdi Kanu dey eat watery Beans.

Kalashnikov49:
These SW people don show Northerners shege.

Sarki dey inside cell
Malami dey inside cell
El Rufai dey inside cell
..and others they use EFCC, ICPC. to hound and imprison.

Anyway, all of them dey join Nnamdi Kanu dey eat watery Beans.

ayoncox:
Normally we Yoruba people are coward na

Richtaiwo:
Honestly, I used to think El-Rufai was intelligent, until he went national and announced that he had been tapping the NSA’s phone calls.

Like seriously? What was he thinking? In an era when soldiers on the front lines are constantly walking into ambushes, this is the kind of move he makes? Clearly, I overrated him.

floss:
El Rufai is paying for the things he’s said in the past… I don’t think he’ll be indicted for corruption at the end of the day… so he should be steadfast and know the storm will be over soon

By this time, it was believed that the commission would have concluded its investigation and either filed charges against the former governor or granted him administrative bail.

NairaMaster1:
Soon when DSS is waiting? That nigga might not see the sun until the next elections are over.

Hedonisco:
In other words, you have not concluded investigations yet you rushed to arrest him? You arrested him, without being sure of his guilt, in order to presumptively detain him and force him to 'help' you with your own investigations?

This country is sitting on gunpowder, and the explosion will be very loud. Is this how to run a country? Is this how to operate Rule of Law?