The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it is keeping former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai in detention pursuant to a court remand order.

John Odey, spokesperson for the ICPC, said in a statement on Tuesday that the anti-corruption agency still had Mr El-Rufai in its custody under a March 5, 2026, court order.

“Mallam El-Rufai remains in the lawful custody of the ICPC under the remand order dated 5th March, 2026,” said Mr Odey. “The commission is strictly following the court-mandated timeline, including the requirement for a progress report.”

He added, “The ICPC conducts its duties with the highest professionalism and respect for the rule of law. The remand of Mr El-Rufai has been authorised by a court of law in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.”

Mr Odey said the ICPC appeared in court on Tuesday, March 17, for the hearing in the former governor’s suit seeking to overturn the order on his remand.

“The commission appeared in court today for the hearing of Mallam El-Rufai’s application, dated and filed on 6th March 2026, which seeks to overturn the court order renewing his remand issued on 5th March 2026.

“During today’s proceedings, counsel to Mr El-Rufai was served with our response to his application. The lawyer subsequently requested an adjournment to respond to the commission’s response. Consequently, the magistrate adjourned the hearing of the application to 31st March 2026 to allow Mr El-Rufai’s team sufficient time to react to our response,” Mr Odey said.

According to him, the initial remand order was granted, allowing the commission to detain Mr El-Rufai for 14 days to investigate alleged money laundering and abuse of office.

He added, “Upon the expiration of the initial order, the commission applied for a 14-day extension to complete its investigations, which the court acceded to on 5th March, 2026. Counsel to El-Rufai attempted to set aside the remand order issued on 19th February, 2026, but the application was dismissed on 9th March, 2026.”

Mr El-Rufai, who is being probed by the anti-graft agency over N432 billion money laundering based on a petition by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, has remained in ICPC custody since February 18.

The former governor first spent two days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, where he turned himself in for investigation on February 16.