Malam Nasir El-Rufai has remained in detention for eight days after voluntarily reporting to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 16 February 2026. He was held by the EFCC until the night of 18 February, when officials transferred him to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). As of 23 February, his lawyers say they have not received a response to a bail application or been shown a remand order.
Legal proceedings linked to the detention are expected to move forward this week. The Federal Capital Territory High Court has fixed 25 February to hear El-Rufai’s fundamental rights suit against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS). The case seeks an order granting him bail. He is also scheduled for arraignment the same day on charges filed by the DSS.
On 23 February, El-Rufai asked a Federal High Court to void a search warrant used by ICPC officers to search his Aso Drive residence on 19 February. The suit names the ICPC, the FCT Chief Magistrate, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents. It argues that the warrant lacked detail, contained drafting errors and was too broad, and that the search violated his fundamental rights. He is also seeking to block the use of seized items as evidence.
The ICPC searched the residence on 19 February and questioned El-Rufai the same day. His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, described the search as “unlawful and clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights,” alleging it was carried out under a defective warrant. Lawyers submitted a bail application after the interrogation but say the commission has yet to respond.
El-Rufai had earlier reported to the EFCC between 16 and 18 February following an invitation. The EFCC granted him administrative bail with conditions that included a serving federal permanent secretary as a surety. His lawyers sought a review of those terms, while also raising concerns about continued custody, access to family and counsel, and his health. He was moved to ICPC custody on 18 February without prior notice.
Events leading to the detention began on 12 February, when his lawyers said his passport was seized at the airport during a failed arrest attempt. The ICPC later invited him to report the next day. Through counsel, he proposed 18 February, citing short notice and a prior EFCC appointment. No agency has issued a public explanation for the airport incident.
