ICPC detains Nasir El-Rufai after DSS re-arrest, confirming he is in custody over ongoing corruption investigations

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission confirmed on Wednesday that former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, is in its custody following his re-arrest by operatives of the Department of State Services.

Also read: EFCC probes El-Rufai in explosive N432bn case

The anti-graft agency disclosed that Malam Nasir El-Rufai is being detained in connection with ongoing investigations.

The confirmation came hours after reports emerged that security operatives had taken him into custody shortly after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, where he had spent two days undergoing questioning.

J. Okor Odey, Head of Media and Public Communications and spokesperson for the commission, said in a statement that the former governor remained in custody as at the close of work on Wednesday.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission 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,” the statement read.

“Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations.”

The ICPC Detains Nasir El-Rufai development follows a sequence of high-profile engagements with law enforcement agencies.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai had earlier acknowledged receiving an invitation from the commission last Friday and stated that his lawyer had responded, confirming that he would honour the invitation on February 18.

In a post on his official X account, the former governor also alleged that there had been an attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return to Nigeria.

Before Wednesday’s re-arrest, Malam Nasir El-Rufai had honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday.

He was reportedly held for two days over alleged corruption during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.

In addition, the Department of State Services has filed charges against the former governor following remarks he made on national television concerning the alleged tapping of the telephone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific counts under investigation by the ICPC. However, the swift succession of arrests signals an intensifying legal and political episode with significant implications for the former governor.