Money Laundering: ICPC detains el-Rufai for alleged diversion of N423bn public funds

*Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission affirms the detention of Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Governor of Kaduna State in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged diversion and stealing of N423 billion public funds

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) affirmed that Malam Nasir El-Rufai, immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, is in its custody in connection with an ongoing investigation on alleged diversion and stealing of N423 billion public funds.

ConsumerConnect gathered John Odey, Head of Media and Public Communications/Spokesperson of ICPC, confirmed that Malam El-Rufai was in the custody of the anti-corruption Commission as of the close of work Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

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El-Rufai’s arrest by the anti-corruption agencies came amid a series of allegations against him and engagements with security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS).

Odey reportedly stated: “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to state that Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, is in our custody as of the close of work today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the Commission in connection with investigations.”

It is recalled that the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, last Friday, confirmed ICPC’s invitation to the former Kaduna State.

El-Rufai wrote on his verified X account: “Yesterday, after the futile attempt to abduct me, the ICPC delivered a letter to invite me to their office. ” “My lawyer has written to confirm that I will be attending the ICPC office on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.”

The former Kaduna State Governor, a few days back, was at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Abuja, FCT.

The EFCC had invited him over allegations of financial improprieties during his stint as the Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.

Likewise, two years ago, the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted El-Rufai for alleged diversion of ₦423 billion in public funds, engaging in money laundering.

The Kaduna lawmakers at the time petitioned anti-corruption agencies to probe their claims against the diminutive former Minister for the FCT.

On alleged phone-tapping of NSA

Featuring in a programme on a private television station, Malam El-Rufai had claimed that someone “wiretapped” the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu’s phone conversation, helping him to overhear instructions for his arrest.

The revelation led the DSS to file a three-count charge against El-Rufai for allegedly intercepting Ribadu’s phone conversation.

The prosecutors said the allegation contravenes Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

The DSS, in count two, accused El-Rufai of saying that he knew and associated with an individual who unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s communications but failed to report the person to security agencies.

This, the agency said, is contrary to Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.

The third count alleged that El-Rufai and some persons, now at large, used technical equipment or systems in a way that compromised public safety and national security by intercepting the NSA’s communications, in contravention of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

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