The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, is currently in its custody over ongoing investigations.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, the anti-corruption agency said El-Rufai remained in its custody as of the close of work on February 18, 2026.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, is in our custody as at close of work today, Wednesday, the 18th day of February, 2026.
“Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations,” the statement read.
The statement, signed by Okor Odey, the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, did not disclose the specific allegations under investigation or indicate how long the former governor would remain in custody.
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The ICPC also did not state whether El-Rufai would be formally charged in court or considered for administrative bail pending the outcome of the probe.
Sources familiar with the development said El-Rufai was moved on Wednesday night from the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
A security source claimed DSS operatives had been on standby since Monday, when the former governor was initially detained by the EFCC. He was reportedly transferred late Wednesday to the ICPC headquarters, where he had earlier been scheduled to respond to questions on Tuesday.
However, security sources denied claims that the DSS arrested or detained El-Rufai on Wednesday night, insisting he was not in their custody.
The investigations are said to centre on allegations of financial misappropriation, as well as issues relating to the reported disappearance of some of his critics.
