An aide to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has provided a concerning update regarding the politician's detention status, which has now extended to eight days following his voluntary appearance before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). On February 16, El-Rufai reported to the EFCC's office, where he was initially held until February 18 when his custody was transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). This transfer has raised questions about the legal processes and justification behind his prolonged detention.

The Media Adviser to El-Rufai, Muyiwa Adekeye, highlighted that as of February 23, the former governor's legal team had not received any response from the ICPC regarding a bail application submitted on his behalf. The lack of communication from the authorities has caused concern among his supporters and legal representatives, particularly in light of the limited transparency surrounding his detention. According to Adekeye, no remand order has been presented to authorize El-Rufai's continued detention, indicating potential legal issues that could arise from the situation.

The implications of this situation are significant, not just for El-Rufai but also for the political landscape in Kaduna and Nigeria as a whole, as it highlights issues surrounding accountability, the rule of law, and the powers of anti-corruption agencies in the country. As Nigeria grapples with corruption concerns, El-Rufai's case may serve as a critical litmus test for the EFCC and ICPC in how they handle politically sensitive investigations and the perceptions of fairness in their procedures.