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The Independent Commission on Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses (ICPC) has rejected a report claiming that it sought a fresh court order to extend the detention of former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and described the report as misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the anti-graft agency explained that their hearing on March 17, 2026, was solely a response to the application filed by El-Rufai to challenge his continued detention.
According to the commission, the former governor had filed a request on March 6 to cancel the detention order previously granted on March 5. During the hearing, the ICPC said its legal team had served El-Rufai’s legal counsel with its response, prompting the defense to request more time to study the submission.
The court then adjourned the case until March 31, 2026, to provide sufficient time for the defense team to respond.
“ICPC wishes to clarify the current legal status of the detention of former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.
“This statement is necessary to correct inaccurate reports from some media stating that the commission appeared in court today, March 17, 2026, seeking a new extension of his detention.
“The Commission was present in court today to hear Mallam El-Rufai’s application, dated and filed on March 6, 2026, seeking to quash the court order to renew his detention issued on March 5, 2026.
“During today’s hearing, Mr. El-Rufai’s counsel received our response to his application.
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“Lawyers then requested an adjournment to address the commission’s response.
“As a result, the judge postponed the appeal hearing until March 31, 2026 to allow Mr. El-Rufai’s team sufficient time to react to our response.”
Providing further details, the ICPC outlined that the court initially granted a 14-day restraining order to allow investigations into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. After the statute of limitations expired, the commission received another 14-day extension on March 5 to complete its investigation.
The agency also revealed that a previous attempt by El-Rufai’s legal team to overturn the detention order issued on February 19 was rejected by the court on March 9.
The court stated that El-Rufai remained in lawful custody pursuant to a court order and that all procedures were followed in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Administration Act of 2015, including periodic reporting as required.
Reiterating its stance on due process, the commission stressed its commitment to handling the matter within the bounds of the law and avoiding unnecessary public spectacle.
“The ICPC remains steadfast in upholding its long-standing policy of avoiding trials in the media. We believe that legal disputes should be resolved in the courtroom, not on the pages of newspapers and social media platforms.
“The commission’s leadership remains firm and unafraid in facing all challenges in the investigation process.
“We urge the public to avoid spreading unverified information and rely on official updates from the Commission,” the statement said.
El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 19, shortly after he was released on administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He had returned to Nigeria from Cairo on February 12 and complied with the EFCC’s invitation on February 16 before being subsequently transferred to ICPC custody.
Separately, the Department of State Services has filed a lawsuit against the former governor for allegedly tapping the telephone lines of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
