*We’re holding him legally -ICPC
*No, you’re infringing on his rights -ADC
By Okey Muogbo
As former Governor and ADC chieftain, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai celebrates this year’s Eid-el-Kabir in detention, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on whose request the former Kaduna State governor is being held has insisted that the detention is legal as it was approved by a court of law.
How ever, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Party of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has accused the ICPC and the Federal Government of violating the fundamental rights of the former Governor.
In a statement dated 17th March, 2026, titled “Re: Detention Of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai: ICPC Sets The Record Straight On Court Proceedings In Abuja, Nigeria”, the anti graft agency said: “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) wishes to clarify the current legal status of the remand in detention of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. This statement is necessary to correct inaccurate reports by some media outlets suggesting that the Commission was in court today, 17th March 2026, seeking a fresh extension of his detention.
“The Commission appeared in Court today for the hearing of Mallam El-Rufai’s application, dated and filed on 6th March 2026, which seeks to overturn the court order renewing his remand issued on 5th March 2026.
“During today’s proceedings, counsel to Mr El-Rufai was served with our response to his application. The lawyer subsequently requested an adjournment to respond to the Commission’s response. Consequently, the Magistrate adjourned the hearing of the application to 31st March 2026 to allow Mr El-Rufai’s team sufficient time to react to our response.
“To keep the public informed, the Commission provides the following timeline of the court authorised detention. The initial remand order was granted, allowing the Commission to detain the suspect for 14 days to investigate allegations of money laundering and abuse of office. Upon the expiration of the initial order, the Commission applied for a 14-day extension to complete its investigations, which the court acceded to on 5th March, 2026. Counsel to El-Rufai attempted to set aside the remand order issued on 19th February, 2026, but the application was dismissed on 9th March, 2026.
“Mallam El-Rufai remains in the lawful custody of the ICPC under the remand order dated 5th March, 2026. The Commission is strictly following the court mandated timeline, including the requirement for a progress report. The ICPC conducts its duties with the highest professionalism and respect for the rule of law. The remand of Mr El-Rufai has been authorised by a court of law in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
“Furthermore, the ICPC remains firm in upholding its longstanding policy of avoiding media trials. We believe that legal disputes should be settled in the courtroom, not on newspaper pages and social media platforms. The Commission’s leadership remains steadfast and undeterred in confronting any and all challenges in the course of the current investigation.
“We urge the public to avoid spreading unverified information and to rely on official updates from the Commission,” the statement signed by John Okor Odey, Head, Media and Public Communication, ICPC said
However, the ADC on Wednesday said the continued detention of former Minister as a violation of his fundamental human rights.
ADC said the former governor, a leader of its party, has been in ICPC custody for over 30 days.
But, in a statement, the ADC national spokesman, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the detention as illegal and unconstitutional, alleging attempts to coerce El-Rufai into abandoning his political choice, and called on the ICPC to uphold the rule of law by immediately releasing El-Rufai from custody to enable him to prepare his own defence.
The party maintained that detaining a citizen interminably is the hallmark of dictatorship and has no place in a democracy.
It therefore vowed to petition the Amnesty International and other human rights groups if El-Rufai is not released immediately.
“The African Democratic Congress declares that the continued violation of the fundamental rights of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai is a stain on the conscience of our democracy and a dangerous descent into lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led government.
“Thirty-two days ago, the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, honoured an invitation by the EFCC in good faith, an act that should define a law-abiding citizen in a democratic society.
“Two days after his release, he was taken again, this time by the ICPC. Today, more than 30 days later, he remains in custody without arraignment, without formal charges, and under conditions that, by his own account include, restrictions from his family members and doctor; and coercion to abandon his political rights and associations as the price for his freedom.
“Let us be clear, this is not law enforcement. This is the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country.”
“We must speak plainly, a government that detains without charge, intimidates without evidence, and demands silence in exchange for freedom is not acting like a democratic government, it is behaving like something else entirely.
“If President Bola Tinubu intends to govern as though the Constitution is optional, then he owes Nigerians the honesty to say so openly.
“He must declare, without pretence, that the rules of democracy no longer apply. And if that is the path that he chooses, then Nigerians, citizens, institutions, the international community, and the opposition, will know that what stands before us is not democracy, but a dictatorship in disguise.
“But if President Tinubu still claims allegiance to the rule of law, then we challenge him to prove it in action.
In this regard, the ADC therefore demands the immediate and unconditional compliance of all relevant state actors with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This includes the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the leadership of the ICPC, and all agencies involved in this matter.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the ICPC, was established to investigate and prosecute corruption and to strengthen the public’s trust in governance, not to serve as an instrument of political suppression or a tool in partisan political battles. Nigeria did not fight for democracy only to surrender it quietly through fear, silence, or selective justice.”
ADC spokesman called on all Nigerians, across party lines, across states, across religions, to rise in defence of the Constitution.
“Today it is El-Rufai. Tomorrow, it could be anyone else that the president sees as a threat to his 2027 agenda. The erosion of rights rarely begins with everyone, it begins with one, and spreads where and when silence permits it.
“We demand the immediate release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, or his immediate arraignment in a court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing more. Nothing less. That is the law.
“And let it be said clearly, if this is the democratic character of a government that is seeking another mandate from the Nigerian people, then Nigerians must ask themselves, what becomes of the rule of law and human rights when the Tinubu government no longer needs their votes?
“It is a profound irony, and indeed a shame, that a president who once stood as a self-proclaimed democrat, who claimed to have fought alongside NADECO against military dictatorship, now presides over actions that mirror the very abuses that NADECO resisted,” the party said.
