MURIC Demands Immediate Action on El-Rufai's Detention

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded the immediate arraignment or release of former Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who was detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on February 16, 2026. Muyiwa Adekey, a media aide, accused the ICPC of failing to grant El-Rufai bail, claiming he suffers from health issues, including a nosebleed, during detention.

The ICPC has not yet arraigned El-Rufai in court, leading to concerns over his prolonged detention. Professor Ishaq Akintola, the founder and executive director of MURIC, emphasized that the law prescribes a maximum detention period of 48 hours without arraignment.

He criticized the ICPC for not adhering to legal standards and called for respect for democratic norms, including the rule of law and freedom of movement as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. The matter is scheduled for a court hearing on April 23, 2026, but MURIC insists that El-Rufai should either be charged or released immediately.