El-Rufai Shuttles Between EFCC and ICPC as Investigations Deepen

Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission as part of ongoing investigations into corruption allegations linked to his administration.

The development came late Wednesday night, shortly after the former governor was released from the detention facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, where he had been held for two days following his appearance before the anti-graft agency.

El-Rufai was moved into ICPC custody immediately after meeting the bail conditions earlier granted by the EFCC, signalling a continuation of coordinated investigations by federal anti-corruption agencies.

Confirming the arrest, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said the former governor was being questioned over allegations currently under review by the commission.

Odey noted that the commission took custody of El-Rufai at the close of work on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, stressing that the move was strictly in connection with investigative procedures.

He stated that the former governor would remain with the commission while investigators review documents and obtain clarifications relating to matters raised during preliminary findings.

Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that El-Rufai had earlier honoured an invitation from the EFCC on Monday, after which he was detained as part of efforts to address corruption allegations tied to projects and financial decisions taken during his tenure as governor.

The sources further revealed that although the EFCC granted him administrative bail late Wednesday after he fulfilled the stipulated conditions, the ICPC’s interest in separate aspects of the allegations necessitated his immediate transfer for further questioning.

Insiders within anti-corruption circles suggested that the parallel investigations reflect growing institutional collaboration aimed at ensuring that all dimensions of the allegations are thoroughly examined.

As of the time of filing this report, details of the specific allegations under ICPC review had not been made public, while associates of the former governor were yet to issue an official response to the latest development.

Efforts to obtain comments from El-Rufai’s media aides were unsuccessful, as calls and messages seeking clarification had not been returned.

The situation is expected to generate significant political and legal attention in the coming days as investigations by both agencies continue.