An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court has ordered a former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for another 14 days.
The order was granted by Chief Magistrate Okechukwu Akweke to enable the anti-graft agency to conclude investigations into fresh allegations of money laundering and abuse of office against the former governor, who also served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Court records indicate that the renewal of Mr El-Rufai’s detention was granted on Thursday following an ex-parte application by the ICPC. The former governor was represented by his legal team during the proceedings.
In his ruling, the magistrate said the court considered the application presented by the prosecuting counsel, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, who requested a remand warrant to allow the commission to continue its investigation.
“Upon hearing the prosecuting counsel… this Honourable Court hereby grants an order issuing a remand warrant against the respondent, Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, in favour of the applicant, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, to detain the respondent in its custody for another fourteen (14) days pending the conclusion of investigation activities,” the magistrate ruled.
The court fixed March 19, 2026, as the return date for a report on compliance.
Meanwhile, earlier efforts by Mr El-Rufai to quash the initial remand order were unsuccessful, as a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Bwari, Abuja, dismissed his application.
The matter has since been returned to Chief Magistrate Akweke, who fixed March 17 to decide whether the extension order should be set aside.
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