The family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has described his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission as unlawful, insisting that the legal order authorising his custody has already expired.
In a statement issued on Friday and shared on Facebook by his son, Mohammed El-Rufai, the family said the 14-day remand order earlier obtained by the ICPC from a magistrate court on February 19 had elapsed without the anti-graft agency filing any formal charge against the former governor in a court of competent jurisdiction.
According to the family, the failure to secure a fresh court order or arraign him within the period provided by law makes his continued detention illegal.
“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 authorising his detention,” the statement said.
The family’s reaction comes as El-Rufai marks his 18th day in the custody of federal anti-corruption agencies.
The former governor had earlier honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16. He was initially detained by the EFCC before being released shortly afterwards.
However, he was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on the night of February 18, where he has remained since.
The family is now demanding his immediate release, maintaining that holding him without a valid court order amounts to a violation of his rights under the law.
