The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has confirmed that former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is currently in its custody in connection with an ongoing investigation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Commission said El-Rufai was in its custody as of the close of work on the same day. The statement was signed by the ICPC’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr. J. Okor Odey.
According to the Commission, the former governor is being held as part of investigations, although it did not disclose specific details regarding the nature of the probe.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, is in our custody as at close of work, Wednesday the 18th day of February, 2026. Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations,” the statement read.
The anti-corruption agency did not indicate how long the former governor would remain in custody or whether formal charges would be filed.
The confirmation by the ICPC comes amid recent developments involving the former governor and other security agencies. El-Rufai was earlier invited for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he was reportedly granted bail on Wednesday night after being held for interrogation.
Following his release, several reports claimed that the former governor had been rearrested by the Department of State Services (DSS). However, the ICPC’s statement clarified that El-Rufai is currently in the custody of the Commission, contradicting claims that he was being held by the DSS.
El-Rufai served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 and remains a prominent political figure in Nigeria.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from El-Rufai or his representatives regarding his custody.
The ICPC is one of Nigeria’s key anti-corruption agencies tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption-related offences in public institutions.