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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, is currently in its custody in connection with ongoing investigations.
In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, the commission’s spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, said el-Rufai was taken into custody that night.
He did not disclose details of the allegations under investigation but noted that the former governor remained with the commission as of the close of work on February 18, 2026.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna state, is in our custody as at close of work today Wednesday, the 18th day of February, 2026. Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations,” the statement reads.
Earlier in the week, El-Rufai had presented himself at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, following an invitation over alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna governor between 2015 and 2023.
In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly accused the former governor of diverting N423 billion in public funds and engaging in money laundering, and called on anti-corruption agencies to investigate him. The ICPC had also invited him for questioning.
Tensions escalated last Thursday when security operatives attempted to apprehend el-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his arrival from Cairo.
He later alleged that the ICPC, acting on the instruction of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, directed officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest him.
On Monday, the DSS filed a three-count charge against him, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the national security adviser’s telephone conversation.
Earlier reports indicated that el-Rufai had been held by the DSS after spending two nights at the EFCC headquarters.
