An Abuja Magistrate Court has scheduled Tuesday, March 17, 2026, to deliver its ruling on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)'s application for an additional 14 days to detain former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Presiding Magistrate Okechukwu Akweke adjourned the matter last week to allow the court to decide whether to approve or reject the ICPC's request for the extension.El-Rufai has remained in ICPC custody since February 18, 2026, facing allegations of money laundering and the unauthorized interception of communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The ICPC initially secured a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, on February 19, 2026. That order lapsed on March 5, 2026.After the initial remand period expired, El-Rufai's legal team, family, and supporters condemned his ongoing detention as unlawful, insisting that without a new court order, the anti-graft agency must either release him unconditionally or proceed to file formal charges in a court with proper jurisdiction.
El-Rufai has also initiated a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, contesting his prolonged detention. The suit names the ICPC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.
The ICPC has rejected claims of rights violations, asserting that its original 14-day remand order was lawfully obtained and remains renewable during the ongoing investigation.
Recent developments indicate the ICPC has obtained a fresh detention order from the court, extending custody until March 19, 2026, pending the March 17 ruling on the application. This has sparked further debate over the legality and jurisdiction of magistrate courts in handling such high-profile corruption probes.
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