Rufai challenges search warrant as detention enters eighth day

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, has approached a Federal High Court to challenge the legality of a search conducted at his residence by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as his detention entered its eighth day on Monday.

According to a statement issued by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai voluntarily honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026, where he was initially held before being transferred to ICPC custody on February 18.

Adekeye said El-Rufai’s legal team had yet to receive a response to an application for bail and had not been shown any remand order, arguing that the constitutional 48-hour limit for detention without charge had elapsed.

The statement indicated that hearings relating to the former governor are expected this week.

A fundamental rights suit against the Federal Government, ICPC, EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS) is scheduled before an FCT High Court on February 25, seeking an order admitting him to bail.

He is also expected to be arraigned the same day on charges reportedly filed by the DSS.

In a separate action filed on February 23, El-Rufai asked the Federal High Court to declare invalid a search warrant executed at his Aso Drive residence on February 19.

The suit names the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.

His lawyers argue that the warrant lacked particularity, contained drafting errors and was overly broad, amounting to a violation of his fundamental rights.

They are also seeking an injunction preventing the use of items recovered during the search in any proceedings against him.

The statement further recounted that ICPC officials conducted interrogations on February 19 and 20, after which a bail application was submitted but had received no response as of the time of the update.

Adekeye also alleged difficulties faced by El-Rufai’s lawyers and family in accessing him while in custody, including restrictions on direct delivery of meals.

The statement claimed he experienced a nosebleed during detention.

Earlier developments outlined in the timeline include an incident on February 12 in which El-Rufai’s passport was allegedly seized at an airport during what his lawyers described as a failed arrest attempt.

ICPC subsequently issued an invitation for him to report on February 13, which his legal team requested to reschedule.

Authorities have not publicly responded to the claims contained in the statement as of the time of filing this report.