Former Nasir El‑Rufai has now spent 17 days in detention following his visit to the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja on February 16, 2026.
According to a statement issued Wednesday by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, federal government agencies have continued to hold the former Kaduna State governor since that day.
The statement said El-Rufai initially honoured an invitation from the EFCC before being transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
“Federal Government agencies have detained Malam Nasir El-Rufai for 17 days, following his voluntary attendance at the EFCC office on Monday, 16th February 2026,” the statement said.
It added that the anti-corruption agency took custody of him two days later.
“The ICPC has been holding him since taking him from the EFCC’s custody on the night of Wednesday, 18th February.”
The statement disclosed that the El-Rufai family had rejected claims by the ICPC that wiretapping equipment was recovered during a search of the former governor’s residence.
“On 2nd March, the El-Rufai family debunked sensational, but false, claims by the ICPC that it recovered wiretapping equipment during its search of Malam El-Rufai’s residence,” the statement said.
El-Rufai’s legal team has also indicated plans to challenge the allegation in court.
“El-Rufai’s lawyers have said that they will file action against the ICPC for making such defamatory claims.”
The ICPC has reportedly disclosed that El-Rufai is being held under a remand order issued by a court.
According to the statement, “On 2nd March, the ICPC also disclosed that it is holding Malam @elrufai in custody on a 14-day remand warrant it obtained on 19th February, and which would elapse on 5th March.”
The agency, it said, indicated that it intends to file charges against him before or by that date.
However, the former governor’s lawyers are contesting the legality of the remand order as well as the search warrant used during a raid on his residence on February 19.
The matter was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, who adjourned the case until March 11 to allow all parties to be properly served.
El-Rufai is seeking a declaration that the search warrant is invalid, citing what his lawyers describe as lack of specificity, drafting errors, ambiguous execution terms, excessive scope and absence of probable cause.
He is also asking the court to declare that the search violated his fundamental rights and to bar the use of items seized during the operation in any legal proceedings against him.
Another legal action filed by El-Rufai over alleged violations of his fundamental rights is also progressing at the FCT High Court.
Justice Hussaini Belgore had earlier transmitted the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory for reassignment after informing lawyers that he would be proceeding on leave.
The case was initially scheduled for February 25 but was adjourned to enable government agencies involved to file their responses.
The suit lists the Federal Government, ICPC, EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS) as respondents.
Meanwhile, a separate arraignment planned by the DSS at the Federal High Court did not take place on February 25 after the agency failed to produce El-Rufai in court.
The prosecution requested a two-week adjournment to enable it bring the former governor before the court, a request opposed by his legal team.
El-Rufai’s lawyers argued that the DSS could easily produce him from the custody of another government agency.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case until April 23, 2026. The court is yet to hear El-Rufai’s applications seeking to quash the charges filed by the DSS and to grant him bail.
The developments mark the latest phase in the ongoing legal battle involving the former governor and several federal agencies.