Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna state, remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 19, following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His continued detention has sparked demands for his immediate release from various political figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who asserted that no individual should be detained merely for holding differing ideological or political views from the government.

The ICPC is poised to arraign el-Rufai and his former aide, Joel Adoga, before a federal high court in Kaduna. The arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday on allegations encompassing the conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering. These charges were formally filed by the ICPC on March 18.

Adding to the legal complexities, the ICPC has also filed a separate charge, KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, against Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and one Amadu Sule (LEDA) before a Kaduna State High Court. These charges involve allegations of abuse of office, fraud, intent to commit fraud, and conferring undue advantage. The ICPC has confirmed that both sets of charges were filed on March 18, 2026, though the specific date for the state high court arraignment will be announced by the court at an appropriate time. The commission assures the public of its adherence to due process and the rule of law.

The detention saga began on February 19, and a magistrate court later extended his initial remand order by another 14 days on March 5. This has led to increased calls from opposition parties, such as the ADC, which has labeled the former governor's prolonged detention as "unconstitutional and illegal," urging the ICPC to either release him or present him before a competent court. In response to the actions taken against him, el-Rufai himself filed a fundamental rights suit before the federal high court in Abuja, challenging the search conducted on his residence by the ICPC and the remand order issued on February 19. The suit names the ICPC, the chief magistrate who issued the order, the inspector-general of police (IGP), and the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) as respondents. Furthermore, reports have emerged, including one by TheCable, indicating that the ICPC has linked six real estate assets in Egypt to el-Rufai.