The former governor of Kaduna, Nasir el-Rufai, has been arrested, according to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC). 

The former governor was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) after spending two nights at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, according to a previous report by The Cable. Whether the DSS turned him over to the ICPC for the current investigations is not immediately evident. 

El-Rufai was arrested on Wednesday night in connection with investigations, according to J. Okor Odey, chief of media and public communications for the ICPC. In a brief statement, Okor did not reveal the specifics of the inquiries that led to the former governor's arrest.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai the former Governor of Kaduna state is in our custody as at close of work today Wednesday the 18th day of February, 2026. Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations,” the statement reads.

After receiving an invitation about suspected financial irregularities during his time as governor of Kaduna state from 2015 to 2023, the former governor showed up at the EFCC offices on Monday. 

The Kaduna legislature recommended that anti-graft agencies look into El-Rufai after indicting him in 2024 for allegedly misuse of N423 billion in public monies and money laundering. 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) has also extended an invitation to the former governor of Kaduna.

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