The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has come under legal scrutiny after it released former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
El-Rufai’s son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed that the ICPC released his father in a post on his X handle on Friday night.
He wrote: “Alhamdulillah. My beloved great legend of a father is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is a lame excuse for a pathetic institution.
“Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais,” he wrote.
However, questions of judicial integrity and the rule of law have taken center stage this weekend as legal clouds hang over ICPC after it released El-Rufai from custody.
While the agency cited “compassionate grounds” following the death of El-Rufai’s mother, Hajiya Umma, legal experts argue the move may have bypassed a standing court order.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass El-Rufai had been in detention since mid-February 2026, facing a 10-count charge involving alleged money laundering and the conversion of public property.
On Tuesday, March 24, a Federal High Court in Kaduna formally remanded the former governor in ICPC custody, specifically adjourning his bail application hearing until March 31, 2026.
The ICPC arraigned El-Rufai before the Federal High Court, Kaduna after 38 days in detention.
The former governor appeared in court under heavy security as the commission filed a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, conversion of public property, and abuse of office.
According to the charge sheet (Suit No: FHC/KD/73/2026), the ICPC alleged that El-Rufai unlawfully took possession of over N579 million in severance allowances, a figure far exceeding the legally prescribed amount for a departing governor.
The prosecution further alleged that El-Rufai received illicit foreign currency payments totaling over $320,000 into private accounts.
However, days before the hearing of his bail application, the ICPC released El-Rufai, sparking debates.
In a post on X on Saturday, Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, said the ICPC cannot release el-Rufai without the court’s approval.
“A person who is remanded by an order of a court cannot be released legally without recourse to the court,” he wrote.
“ICPC, can you clarify the procedure adopted in this case? El-Rufai’s motion for bail is slated for Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
“How was his release processed? Is this another government magic that the legendary Fela sang about?”
Also, a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi also threw a jab at ICPC.
Amaechi, who visited El-Rufai at his residence on Saturday, wondered why the ICPC released the former Kaduna State Governor without a court order.
He argued that this is to show the agency is lawless.
He stated: “To show you that the government knows what they’re doing, they just released him (El-Rufai) without a court order.”
Below are some other reactions;
