ICPC Remand Warrant on El-Rufai Expires as Questions Loom Over Next Move

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is under scrutiny as the 14-day remand warrant for former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai expires today.

El-Rufai has been in detention for 17 days after voluntarily responding to an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation on 16th February. He was transferred to ICPC custody on 18th February, where he has remained since.

According to a statement from El-Rufai’s media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, the ICPC obtained a remand order on 19th February to keep the former governor in custody pending investigation. The order is due to expire today, with the commission previously indicating it would either charge him or seek further detention before the deadline. As of Thursday morning, no formal charges had been filed.

Under Nigerian law, an expired remand warrant requires investigators to either charge the suspect, secure a new warrant, or release the detainee.

El-Rufai’s legal team is challenging the legality of both the remand and the search warrant executed at his residence on 19th February. The Federal High Court heard the matter on 3rd March before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik and adjourned it to 11th March for proper service to all parties.

The former governor is requesting the court to invalidate the search warrant, citing drafting errors, ambiguity, overbreadth, and lack of probable cause. He also argues that the search violated his fundamental human rights and seeks to prevent the ICPC from using any recovered items in proceedings.

The El-Rufai family has denied ICPC claims that wiretapping equipment was found in the residence, describing the allegation as false and defamatory. His legal team has signaled intentions to take action against the commission over the claim.

Separately, El-Rufai has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Federal Government, the ICPC, EFCC, and the Department of State Services (DSS). The case was initially before Justice Hussaini Belgore but has been reassigned for administrative reasons.

With the remand warrant expiring today, all eyes are on the ICPC to see whether it will file formal charges or seek a new court order to continue holding El-Rufai.