Legal practitioners and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are condemning the prolonged detention of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since he was granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 18, 2026. The ICPC secured a 14-day remand order from a Magistrate Court, which has since expired, raising questions about the legal justification for his continued detention.

Following the expiration of the remand order on March 5, 2026, El-Rufai's legal team, along with family and supporters, have vocally criticized the ICPC's actions, deeming them unlawful. They argue that without a new order for detention, the anti-corruption agency must either formally charge El-Rufai in court or release him immediately. The matter has garnered significant attention, reflecting broader concerns regarding transparency and due process within Nigeria's legal and political systems.

Additionally, Bello El-Rufai, the former governor's son, has publicly expressed outrage over the situation, indicating a familial concern that echoes the mounting public and political pressure on the ICPC for clarity in the case. The ongoing detention poses implications not only for El-Rufai's legal rights but also signals a critical examination of the practices employed by anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, raising concerns about the balance between fighting corruption and ensuring individual rights in the judicial process.