MURIC Kicks Over ICPC’s Prolonged Detention Of El-Rufai

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to  either arraign the detained former Governor of Kaduna state Malam Nasir El-Rufai and or grant him bail.

This is as the umbrella body of Muslim faithful, urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to abide by all known democratic principles, as well as respect the rule of law in its dealings with the citizens.

MURIC’s position  is coming on the heels of Wednesday’s stalled arraignment of the African Democratic Congress’ chieftain by the Department of State Service, DSS, over alleged wire-tapping of the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser, NSA.

The Source reports that El-Rufai, who, on Monday, February 16, 2026, honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 18, without being charged as required by extant laws of the land.

His continued detention beyond the 48 hours required by law, also, on Wednesday stalled El-Rufai’s scheduled arraignment before an Abuja Federal High Court as he was conspicuously absent when his case was called up.

His absence inevitably led to the presiding Judge, Honourable Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik,  adjourning his  planned arraignment to April 23, 2026, without granting him bail.

But in a statement issued on Wednesday , February 25, 2026, by its Executive Director Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC, while  condemning the prolonged detention of El-Rufai without trial, also, expressed serious regret that the ICPC could ignore the law prescribing maximum 48 hours detention period for suspects.

“Malam Nasir El-Rufai has been in detention since his voluntary visit to the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC’ Abuja on Monday 16th February, 2026.

“Although EFCC released him on Wednesday, 18th February, he was picked up by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, same day.

“MURIC demands the immediate arraignment of Malam Nasir El-Rufai in a court of competent jurisdiction.

“The law prescribes 48 hours, only, as the maximum period a suspect  can be held in detention, and within which period he must be produced in court”, Akintola stated.

The Muslim body emphasized the urgent need for the Federal Government and its agencies to respect citizens’ rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria.