El-Rufai’s 222 days in detention draw contrasting political reactions

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KADUNA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has spent 222 days in custody since the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) took him into custody on February 18, 2026, over allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office.

El-Rufai has denied the allegations.

The former governor faces separate proceedings before the Federal High Court and the Kaduna State High Court over allegations including money laundering, fraud, abuse of office and conferring undue advantage.

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The ICPC initially obtained a 14-day remand order against El-Rufai and subsequently secured a further 14-day extension on March 5. The commission said the detention was authorised by the court and linked to its ongoing investigation.

On April 14, Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties.

One surety was required to be a serving or retired federal government official not below Grade Level 15, while the other had to be a recognised traditional ruler. The court also imposed other conditions, including the surrender of passports, but ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody until the bail conditions were fulfilled.

In the separate Kaduna State High Court proceedings, El-Rufai has faced allegations bordering on fraud, abuse of office and undue advantage. His bail applications have been the subject of several court proceedings.

On June 29, Justice Darius Khobo rejected a further bail application filed on medical grounds. The ICPC said the court found that the medical evidence presented by the defence was not sufficiently credible to justify bail on health grounds. The court, however, directed the commission to allow El-Rufai access to his personal doctors and specialised medical facilities in Nigeria when required.

The prolonged detention has generated contrasting reactions among political figures.

Phrank Shaibu, media aide to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, described El-Rufai as a “political prisoner of conscience” and criticised the bail conditions as excessively stringent. He called for the former governor to be released pending the conclusion of his trial.

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani took a different position, arguing that El-Rufai’s detention should be viewed in the context of his record while governor.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 25, Sani said El-Rufai was “paying the price” for what he described as alleged misgovernance and irresponsibility during his eight years in office. He also acknowledged the difficulties associated with prolonged detention.

Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju also criticised the continued detention, despite his stated disagreements with El-Rufai’s record in office.

Adeyanju argued that the former governor should not spend more than 200 days in custody over an offence he described as bailable, and accused the Federal Government of political persecution.

El-Rufai’s administration, which governed Kaduna from 2015 to 2023, also faced criticism over its handling of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as the Shiite movement, and allegations of discriminatory treatment of some communities in Southern Kaduna. These remain matters of political and public dispute, rather than established findings in the current criminal proceedings.

The criminal cases against El-Rufai remain before the courts, with the former governor maintaining his denial of the allegations. The outcome of the proceedings and any eventual determination of his criminal liability remain matters for the courts.