MURIC Demands ICPC Either Arraign or Release El-Rufai Over Prolonged Detention
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly condemned the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, calling on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to either arraign him in court immediately or set him free.
El-Rufai has remained in custody since February 16, 2026, after voluntarily honoring an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. Although the EFCC granted him bail on February 18, he was rearrested the same day by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a move that has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups and political observers.
Allegations of inhumane treatment
Two days prior to MURIC’s intervention, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, accused the ICPC of deliberately refusing to grant bail to the former governor. Adekeye further alleged that El-Rufai suffered a nosebleed while in detention and was denied direct access to his wife when she brought him food.
The allegations have fueled public concern over the welfare of the former governor and the legality of his prolonged detention without arraignment.
Court absence sparks controversy
On Wednesday, proceedings took another controversial turn when the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to present El-Rufai in court to answer criminal charges filed against him. The charges reportedly stem from allegations that El-Rufai unlawfully tapped the telephone of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to court disclosures, the DSS informed the judge that El-Rufai could not be produced because the ICPC was still conducting interrogations. This explanation forced the court to adjourn the case until April 23, further extending his stay in detention.
“Detention without trial is unacceptable” — MURIC
Speaking at a media briefing, MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, described the situation as a dangerous erosion of the rule of law.
Akintola stressed that El-Rufai’s continued detention violates constitutional safeguards and international legal standards.
“There appears to be a deliberate attempt to keep Mallam Nasir El-Rufai in detention indefinitely. A man in custody cannot be blamed for absence in court because he does not control his movement,” Akintola said.
MURIC emphasized that Nigerian law allows security agencies to detain suspects for a maximum of 48 hours before arraignment, except where a court order states otherwise.
“The presumption of innocence remains a cornerstone of democracy. Security agencies do not possess the power to declare citizens guilty — that authority lies solely with the courts,” Akintola added.
Political undertones raised
MURIC also warned that the case risks creating troubling political optics, noting that El-Rufai joins a growing list of prominent opposition figures facing legal pressure. The group cited former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami as recent examples.
“Nigeria cannot afford actions that suggest selective justice at a time when global attention is focused on its democratic credentials,” MURIC stated.
Call to the Federal Government
The Islamic rights group urged the Federal Government to respect democratic norms, constitutional freedoms, and the rule of law as enshrined in Sections 39 and 41 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and movement.
MURIC concluded with a direct demand:
“It is time to either arraign Mallam Nasir El-Rufai before a court of competent jurisdiction or release him immediately.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the ICPC nor the DSS has issued a detailed public response addressing the concerns raised over El-Rufai’s continued detention.