…Commission Confirms Ex-Gov in Custody Over Ongoing Probe
By Abu Adamu
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is currently in its custody in connection with an ongoing investigation.
The confirmation was contained in a statement issued shortly before midnight on Wednesday and signed by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey.
“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. Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations,” the statement read.
The ICPC did not disclose details of the allegations under investigation or indicate how long the former governor would remain in detention.
El-Rufai’s detention comes after he was earlier questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial transactions linked to his tenure between 2015 and 2023. He was reportedly granted administrative bail by the EFCC prior to his transfer into ICPC custody.
Sources indicated that the EFCC’s inquiry forms part of a broader anti-corruption review involving alleged financial dealings running into approximately N432 billion tied to projects and expenditures executed during his time in office. However, the EFCC has not publicly released detailed charges or findings.
The ICPC’s confirmation marks the latest development in the expanding scrutiny of financial management under El-Rufai’s administration, as federal anti-graft agencies continue parallel and, in some instances, overlapping investigations into public sector spending.
As of press time, neither El-Rufai nor his representatives had issued a formal statement regarding the ICPC’s action.