ICPC Detains El-Rufai After EFCC Release

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has taken former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai into custody in connection with an ongoing investigation.

He was moved to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja after spending about 48 hours with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, where he had earlier been granted bail.

The development followed initial reports that the Department of State Services had arrested him and filed criminal charges against him. However, the ICPC later confirmed that he is currently being held by the commission.

A statement released on Wednesday night by the agency’s spokesperson confirmed that El-Rufai is in its custody as investigations continue. The commission did not provide further details about the matter under review.

Before his transfer, the DSS had filed a three-count charge against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, stemmed from comments he made during a television interview.

During the programme, El-Rufai alleged that the ICPC, acting on instructions from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had directed the DSS to arrest him. He also claimed he became aware of the plan through information obtained from a tapped phone conversation.

Based on that claim, the DSS accused him of unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser. The agency said the alleged act violated provisions of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

Prosecutors further alleged that he admitted knowing about the interception and failed to report those involved to the authorities. The charges also stated that technical equipment was used in a way that could threaten public safety and national security.

El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has also been facing separate allegations of financial misconduct. In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly accused him of diverting N423 billion and engaging in money laundering.

The Assembly called on anti-corruption agencies to investigate him. He denied the claims and filed a lawsuit against the lawmakers, accusing them of attempting to tarnish his image.

The latest development adds to the legal challenges confronting the former governor as investigations by different agencies continue.