Amid protests by former Kaduna State governor, lNasir El-Rufai awyers over the search of his residence, on Thursday El-Rufai spent a second night in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after he was taken into custody, detained on Monday and released late Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
An official of the ICPC confirmed to Punch on Thursday night that the former governor was still in its custody but declined to disclose details of the investigation.
“He is still very much with us. I can’t say the offence he is being investigated for. I have not really been in the office, but I was informed that the former Kaduna State governor is still with us,” the source said.
The ICPC had earlier confirmed taking custody of El-Rufai on Wednesday night but similarly declined to state the specific offence under investigation.
There have been unverified claims linking the probe to the failed N11.1 billion Joint Venture Kaduna light rail project, though efforts to independently confirm this were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed on 𝕏 that operatives of the ICPC searched the former governor’s residence on Aso Drive, Abuja.
According to him, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the action as unlawful and a violation of due process. “The Aso Drive residence of Malam Nasir @elrufai was today searched by the ICPC. Ubong Akpan, Malam El-Rufai’s lawyer, condemned the action as unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights,” Adekeye posted.
