Report reaching Blueprint.ng indicates that former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, has just been released temporarily from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
This was disclosed by his son Bashir El-Rufai via X on Friday.
Though ICPC was yet to comment on the latest development, the momentary release is belived to enable the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to attend his mother’s burial rites.
El-Rufai’s mum Hajiya Umma reportedly died in Cairo, Egypt, earlier on Friday.
An aide to the former governor also confirmed that the release was approved on compassionate grounds following the family’s bereavement.
Through X, El-Rufai’s son wrote, “My beloved great legend of a father (@elrufai) is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that is a lame excuse of a pathetic institution. Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais.”
Many travails of El-Rufai
The immediate past Kaduna state governor is facing a series of high-profile legal battles involving allegations of financial misconduct, money laundering, and national security breaches across multiple courts in Nigeria, and has been in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026.
On March 24, 2026 ICPC formally arraigned El-Rufai alongside co-defendant Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The charges include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
He pleaded not guilty to a single-count charge linked to deposits into domiciliary accounts and the handling of earnings.
The court adjourned ruling on his bail application to March 31, 2026, while he remains in custody.
In a separate matter, the ICPC has also filed a case at the Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another defendant, Amadu Sule.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has instituted a three-count charge against the former governor at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case centres on allegations of unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrimes Act.
His arraignment in the matter has been scheduled for April 23, 2026, following earlier delays due to his detention by the ICPC.
El-Rufai has, however, filed counter-suits challenging the actions of the authorities.
In one suit, he is seeking ₦1 billion in damages against the ICPC and other agencies over a February 19 raid on his Abuja residence, which he claims was unlawful.
He is also asking the court to declare the search warrant invalid and to restrain the use of any evidence obtained during the operation.
In a separate action against the DSS, he is seeking ₦2 billion in damages and has asked the court to dismiss the wiretapping charges, describing them as unconstitutional harassment.
Source: Blueprint
