The family of former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has demanded his immediate release from custody, alleging that his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has no legal basis.
In a statement issued on March 6 and signed by his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family said the former governor remains in detention despite the expiration of a court order that initially authorised his remand.
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According to the statement, El-Rufai was first taken into custody on February 18, 2026.
The family said the ICPC later obtained a remand order from a magistrate court on February 19, which allowed detention for 14 days.
They argued that the period has now expired and that the anti-corruption agency has not charged him before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The family described the continued detention as unlawful and called for his immediate release.
They accused the commission of failing to either file formal charges or obtain a fresh legal order to extend the detention.
The statement also alleged that the situation suggests political persecution rather than due process.
El-Rufai, who previously served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has been under investigation over allegations linked to corruption and abuse of office.
The ICPC has not publicly responded to the family’s latest statement.
