Court to Decide on El-Rufai's Detention Extension Request

The magistrate court in Abuja is scheduled to rule on Tuesday, March 17, regarding the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission's (ICPC) request to extend the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for an additional 14 days. This request follows allegations of money laundering and illegal interception of communications related to national security, as indicated by the ICPC.

The presiding magistrate, Okechukwu Akwek, had previously adjourned the matter to allow the court to determine whether to grant or dismiss the anti-graft agency's request. El-Rufai was initially placed in custody on February 18, 2026, under a remand order that allowed the ICPC to detain him until March 5, 2026, for ongoing investigations.

His legal representatives and family members have criticized the continued detention as unlawful, arguing that it violates his constitutional rights. El-Rufai has also filed a suit challenging the legality of his detention, seeking immediate release.

The ICPC, however, maintains that it has a valid remand order to continue holding him while investigations are ongoing.