Counsel to former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai, Ubong Akpan, has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to either release his client or arraign him in court.
In a statement issued on Monday, Akpan said the “purported” 14-day remand order against el-Rufai, issued by a magistrate court on February 19, expired on March 4.
Detention by ICPC
El-Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 19 after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency has yet to file charges against him, but has obtained statements from the former governor in line with its standard operating procedure.
In the statements, el-Rufai told the commission that the investigation against him was politically motivated and said he would not respond to questions from ICPC investigators.
Akpan argued that the continued detention of his client violates provisions of the Penal Code on wrongful confinement with intent to restrain or halt political activity.
Lawyer Alleges Abuse of Power
Akpan said the ICPC “cannot operate as both accuser and incarcerator, detaining citizens indefinitely without due process while peddling falsehoods to deflect from their own criminality”.
“Since the night of February 18, 2026, when operatives under the direction of the Director-General of the Department of State Services unlawfully rendered Mallam El-Rufai from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission custody, where he had voluntarily reported on February 16, 2026, and been granted administrative bail, the ICPC has held him hostage without charge,” the statement read.
“The purported 14-day remand order, issued on February 19, 2026, by a magistrate court lacking jurisdiction over the alleged offences, expired on March 4, 2026, and was never served on my client or his counsel, rendering it void ab initio and the continued confinement patently illegal.
RELATED NEWS:
- ICPC Uncovers Luxury Properties in Egypt Allegedly Linked to El-Rufai
- JUST-IN: El-Rufai’s Absent in Court Amid DSS Denial of Arrest, Case Adjourned till April 23
- El-Rufai Drags ICPC to Court, Demands ₦1bn Over Alleged Abuja Home Raid
“This is not law enforcement; it is state-sponsored extortion and abuse of power, further evidenced by the arbitrary revocation of bail for associates like Joel Adoga, who was detained for refusing to fabricate confessions.”
Akpan added that el-Rufai had repeatedly challenged the commission to charge him in court if there was any evidence against him.
“Mallam El-Rufai has consistently challenged the ICPC to charge him in court if any evidence exists, a demand he has made publicly and in writing since February 16, 2026,” he said.
“Their resounding silence, coupled with these malicious leaks, confirms the absence of any substantive case and reveals a politically motivated witch-hunt.”
He said legal proceedings had been initiated against the ICPC chairman, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and other officials involved in the matter.
“We have initiated criminal complaint proceedings against the Chairman, the DSS Director-General, and other implicated officers, seeking their personal accountability for these crimes,” he said.
“We demand the immediate release of Mallam El-Rufai or his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
Probe and Property Allegations
Meanwhile, the former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has instituted legal action against the ICPC over the legality of a search conducted at his residence in Abuja.
Earlier reports indicated that the ICPC linked six real estate assets in Egypt to el-Rufai during its investigation.
The properties were reportedly uncovered during the commission’s probe of el-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
