MURIC Issues Warning to ICPC Over Detention of El-Rufai
- MURIC has condemned the continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and demanded that he be released or arraigned
- The former governor reported to the EFCC on February 16 and was taken into ICPC custody, despite being granted bail
- Professor Ishaq Akintola of MURIC criticised El-Rufai's detention and referred to the 48-hour legal limit for any arraignment
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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the continued detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, calling for his immediate release or arraignment in a court of competent jurisdiction.
El-Rufai voluntarily reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, but has reportedly remained in custody despite being granted bail by the anti-graft agency on February 18.
Source: Twitter
After his release from the EFCC, El-Rufai was immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai's media aide raises welfare concerns
Two days ago, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai’s media aide, accused the ICPC of denying the former governor bail and restricting his access to family.
According to the aide, the former governor suffered nosebleeds while in detention and was not allowed direct contact with his wife, who had brought him food.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS), which filed criminal charges against El-Rufai over allegations of tapping the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, failed to arraign him in court on Wednesday, February 25.
The DSS cited ongoing ICPC investigations as the reason for the adjournment to April 23, 2026.
MURIC demands release or arraignment of El-Rufai
At a briefing, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the founder and Executive Director of MURIC, criticised the handling of the case.
According to Vanguard, he commented:
“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been in detention since his voluntary report at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Although EFCC released him on Wednesday, February 18, he was picked up by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) the same day.”
Professor Akintola added:
“Reports indicate that his absence in court today, Wednesday, February 25, 2026, is cited as the reason for the inability to arraign him. There appears to be a deliberate attempt to keep El-Rufai in detention ad infinitum. A man who is in detention cannot be blamed for ‘absence in court’ because he does not control his movement.”
Source: Twitter
He emphasised that the law prescribes a maximum of 48 hours for an accused person to be produced in court, stressing:
“Global best practices attest to the fact that a man is believed to be innocent until otherwise proven guilty. Interestingly, the law does not arrogate the power to declare citizens guilty to the security agencies. That power belongs incontestibly to the law courts. We therefore call for the release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or his arraignment in court.”
As Daily Trust also reported, Professor Akintola called on the federal government to respect democratic norms, including the right to freedom of movement and free speech as enshrined in Sections 41 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“Nigeria cannot afford to put unpleasant political optics on the ground at a time when the world is focusing on it. Former Sokoto governor, Waziri Tambuwal, former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN and now El-Rufai, all members of the opposition. We hope we are communicating. It is time to arraign El-Rufai or set him free.”
ICPC reportedly denies El-Rufai bail attempt
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nasir El-Rufai had been denied a bail application by the ICPC, as a media aide gave an updated development on the matter.
The former governor's legal team was said to have applied for bail on his behalf, but the anti-graft agency reportedly did not respond to the letter submitted.
The continued detainment of El-Rufai by the ICPC has continued to raise concerns among the legal team, the family of the former governor, and netizens.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
