Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has spent a second consecutive night in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), amid protests from his legal team over the search of his Abuja residence.
El-Rufai was initially detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and released late Wednesday. However, shortly after regaining his freedom, he was taken into custody by the ICPC, where he has remained.
An official of the anti-graft agency confirmed on Thursday night that the former governor was still in detention but declined to provide details about the allegations against him.
“He is still very much with us. I can’t say the offence he is being investigated for. I have not really been in the office, but I was informed that the former Kaduna State governor is still with us,” the source said.
The ICPC had earlier acknowledged taking him into custody on Wednesday night but did not disclose the specific offence under investigation.
Unverified reports have linked the probe to the controversial N11.1 billion Joint Venture Kaduna light rail project, although independent confirmation of this claim remains unavailable.
Efforts to reach the ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned as of press time.
Lawyers Condemn Residence Search
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed on that ICPC operatives searched the former governor’s residence on Aso Drive, Abuja.
According to him, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, described the action as unlawful and a breach of due process.
“The Aso Drive residence of Malam Nasir @elrufai was today searched by the ICPC. Ubong Akpan, Malam El-Rufai’s lawyer, condemned the action as unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights,” Adekeye stated.
Prior to his arrest, El-Rufai had written to the ICPC through his lawyers, expressing his readiness to honour an invitation scheduled for Tuesday. The letter followed an earlier incident at the airport, where operatives of the Department of State Services reportedly seized his passport.
