El-Rufai Spends Second Night In ICPC Custody, Lawyers Protest House Search

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday spent a second night in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) amid protests by his lawyers over the search of his residence.

Naija News reports that El-Rufai was initially detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and released late Wednesday.

He was, however, immediately taken into custody by the ICPC, where he has remained since.

An official of the anti-graft agency confirmed to Punch on Thursday night that the former governor was still in its custody but declined to disclose details of the investigation.

“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 confirmed taking custody of El-Rufai on Wednesday night but similarly declined to state the specific offence under investigation.

There have been unverified claims linking the probe to the failed N11.1bn Joint Venture Kaduna light rail project, though efforts to independently confirm this were unsuccessful.

Repeated calls and messages to the ICPC spokesman, John Odey, were not returned as of press time.

Lawyers Protest Residence Search

Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed on 𝕏 that operatives of the ICPC searched the former governor’s residence on Aso Drive, Abuja.

According to him, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the action as unlawful and a violation 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 posted.

Before his arrest, El-Rufai had written to the ICPC through his lawyers, indicating his willingness to honour an invitation on Tuesday.

The letter followed an incident at the airport where his passport was reportedly seized by operatives of the Department of State Services.