A Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, has authorized the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to detain former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for an additional 14 days.
The order, issued Thursday by Chief Magistrate Okechukwu John Akweke, allows the anti-graft agency to conclude its investigation into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. The extended remand will run until March 19, 2026.
Court documents obtained by TRUETELLS Nigeria reports show the order was granted in the presence of El-Rufai’s legal counsel following an ICPC application. Prosecuting counsel, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, requested the continued detention to enable completion of the investigation.
The court order reads:
“An order of this Honourable Court issuing a remand warrant against the Respondent (NASIR AHMAD EL-RUFAI) in favour of the Applicant, i.e., ICPC, to detain the Respondent in its custody for another fourteen (14) days pending conclusion of investigation activities on allegations of Money Laundering/abuse of office… The return date shall be the 19th day of March 2026 for report of compliance.”
El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ukpong Esop Akpan, has challenged the new remand, arguing the court’s order represents jurisdictional overreach. A hearing on the validity of the detention has been scheduled for March 17.
A source within ICPC told TRUETELLS Nigeria reports that the commission is following due process and dismissed claims of persecution:
“With a Senior Advocate of Nigeria as the commission’s chairman, we cannot detain El-Rufai or any suspect without a valid court order. The legal team has been part of all proceedings, and the second remand order is currently before the court for review.”
El-Rufai’s legal team contends that the February 19 remand order is defective, citing multiple sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the 1999 Constitution. A 20-paragraph affidavit filed by Mohammed Salihu Shaba supports this claim, calling for the order to be nullified.
