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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Usman Austin, has urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to either charge former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to court or release him.
In a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday, Austin expressed concern over El-Rufai’s detention, calling on the commission to follow due process.
He referenced the approach of the Department of State Services, which he said had recently opted to seek judicial intervention in handling similar matters.
“The decision of the DSS to approach a court of law rather than resorting to arbitrary detention is both civil and democratic.
“The DSS has shown that the proper way to handle such matters is to let the court decide through merit-based arguments from both the prosecutor and the defendant,” he said.
He maintained that if there are allegations against El-Rufai, they should be addressed in court, stressing the importance of adhering to established legal procedures.
Austin also noted that El-Rufai had previously honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, describing the former governor as cooperative with investigative authorities.
“The EFCC is yet to explain the circumstances of this custody—whether Mallam El-Rufai was officially handed over to the ICPC or if he was re-arrested after being granted administrative bail. This ambiguity undermines the rule of law,” he said.
Austin called for clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding El-Rufai’s custody and emphasised the need for transparency in the handling of such matters.
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Austin emphasised that it is a fundamental requirement of international best practices to protect the rights of the innocent until proven guilty.
“Arresting someone before commencing an investigation is a gross abuse of the right to a fair hearing. Anti-corruption agencies must not allow themselves to become willing tools of oppression if they wish to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
“The ICPC must uphold the standards of a civilised society. If there is a case against El-Rufai, let it be argued in court. If not, he must be released immediately,” the statement added.
PUNCH Online had reported that El-rufai, was on Wednesday, taken into custody by the operatives of the ICPC shortly after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Sources at the EFCC confirmed to The PUNCH that the former governor had been released but was shortly taken into custody by operatives of the ICPC.
El-Rufai had arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 10 am on Monday for questioning and was held by the commission until Wednesday.
However, ICPC confirmed that the former governor is currently in its custody in connection with an ongoing investigation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, John Odey, the anti-graft agency disclosed that El-Rufai remains with the commission as of the close of work on February 18, 2026
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