The family of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has demanded his immediate and unconditional release from custody, describing his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as unlawful and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Friday, March 6, 2026, the family said the former governor has remained in ICPC custody without any valid legal basis, insisting that the anti-graft agency has failed to charge him before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The statement, signed by his son and member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, said the family felt compelled to address the public following growing concerns about the circumstances surrounding the former governor’s detention.
According to the family, El-Rufai was first taken into custody on February 18, 2026, after which the ICPC secured a remand order from a magistrate court on February 19 to detain him.
However, the family argued that the remand order was defective from the outset and, by law, permitted detention for only 14 days.
They maintained that the legal window provided by the remand order had since expired, yet the ICPC has neither filed formal charges against the former governor nor obtained a fresh or extended court order authorizing his continued detention.
“As of today, March 6, 2026, Nasir El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody under circumstances that have no basis in law,” the family stated.
They further alleged that the continued detention amounts to “brazen self-help,” accusing the commission of failing in its legal duty to either charge him before a competent court or release him.
The family also expressed concern that the anti-corruption agency may be acting under political influence rather than strictly following the rule of law.
According to the statement, the refusal to release the former governor despite the expiration of the remand order strengthens fears that the ICPC is being used as an instrument of political persecution.
The family insisted that the path forward is clear and called on the authorities to respect due process by either filing charges in court or setting him free.
They concluded by demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the former Kaduna governor.
The ICPC has yet to issue an official response to the claims at the time of filing this report.
