MURIC Demands Immediate Arraignment or Release of El-Rufai from ICPC Custody

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, demanding his immediate arraignment in court or release from custody.

El-Rufai, who voluntarily honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, has remained in detention since then. The anti-graft agency granted him bail exactly a week ago, but he was immediately arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor has suffered nosebleeding whilst in detention and was denied direct access to his wife who brought him food.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Department of State Services (DSS), which filed criminal charges against El-Rufai over allegations of tapping the telephone of National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, failed to arraign him in court. The secret police informed the court that the ICPC was still interrogating the former governor, forcing the judge to adjourn the matter until April 23.

Speaking at a press briefing, Professor Ishaq Akintola, Founder and Executive Director of MURIC, demanded El-Rufai's immediate release or arraignment in a court of competent jurisdiction.

"Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has been in detention since his voluntary report at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja on Monday, 16th February, 2026. Although EFCC released him on Wednesday, 18th February, he was picked up by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) same day," Akintola stated.

He added: "There appears to be a deliberate attempt to keep El-Rufai in detention ad infinitum. A man who is in detention cannot be blamed for 'absence in court' because he does not control his movement."

MURIC noted that the law prescribes 48 hours as the maximum period an accused can be held in detention without being produced in court. The organisation emphasised that global best practices attest to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and that only courts have the power to declare citizens guilty.

"We therefore call for the release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or his arraignment in court," MURIC stated.

The group also called on the Federal Government to abide by democratic norms, including respect for the rule of law, freedom of movement, and free speech, all enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution (Sections 41 and 39 respectively).

MURIC further noted that Nigeria cannot afford negative political optics at a time when the world is focusing on the country, referencing the cases of former Sokoto Governor Waziri Tambuwal, former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami SAN, and now El-Rufai, all described as members of the opposition.

"It is time to arraign El-Rufai or set him free," the organisation concluded.