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Report achieved Blueprint.ng indicates that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has just been temporarily released from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC).
His son Bashir El-Rufai revealed this via X on Friday.
While the ICPC is yet to comment on the latest developments, the temporary release is believed to allow the former Federal Capital Territory minister to attend his mother’s burial rites.
El-Rufai’s mother, Hajiya Umma, reportedly died in Cairo, Egypt, last Friday.
An aide to the former governor also confirmed that the release was approved on compassionate grounds following the family’s bereavement.
Via
Many travails of El-Rufai
The immediate former governor of Kaduna state is facing a series of high-profile legal battles involving allegations of financial misconduct, money laundering and national security breaches in several courts across Nigeria, and has been in ICPC custody since 18 February 2026.
On 24 March 2026, the ICPC formally arraigned El-Rufai together with co-accused Joel Adoga at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
The charges include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.
He has pleaded not guilty to a single charge related to deposits into domiciliary accounts and earnings management.
The court deferred a decision on his bail application to March 31, 2026, while he remains in custody.
In a separate matter, the ICPC also filed a case in the Kaduna State High Court against El-Rufai and another defendant, Amadu Sule.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has instituted a three-count indictment against the former governor at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The case centers on allegations of illegal interception of telephone communications belonging to National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrime Act.
His arraignment on the matter has been scheduled for April 23, 2026, following previous delays due to his detention by the ICPC.
El-Rufai, however, filed counter-complaints contesting the actions of the authorities.
In a lawsuit, he is seeking £1 billion in damages against the ICPC and other agencies over a February 19 raid on his Abuja residence, which he believes was unlawful.
It also asks the court to declare the search warrant null and void and to limit the use of any evidence obtained during the operation.
In a separate action against the DSS, he is seeking £2 billion in damages and has asked the court to dismiss the wiretapping claims, describing them as unconstitutional harassment.
