Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has explained why he refused to answer questions from investigators of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), saying his silence was deliberate and based on his belief that the investigation against him is politically motivated.
The former governor made this position known in written statements he gave while in ICPC custody in February. In the statements, he said he was exercising his constitutional right to remain silent and would only respond to allegations against him in a court of law.
El-Rufai’s comments come as his detention by the anti-corruption agency approaches a key deadline. The ICPC had earlier obtained a 14-day remand order from a Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari, Abuja, to keep him in custody while investigations continue.
The remand order is expected to expire on March 5, 2026. If charges are not filed before that date, the former governor may regain his freedom.
According to documents obtained from the investigation, El-Rufai gave two handwritten statements under caution on February 19 and 20, 2026. The statements were made in the presence of his lawyer, Ubong E. Akpan.
In his first statement dated February 19, the former governor confirmed that he understood the caution given to him by investigators. However, he said he had decided not to respond to the questions put before him.
He also used the statement to outline his personal background and career in public service.
El-Rufai wrote that he was born in 1960 in Dandawa, Katsina State, and grew up mostly in Kaduna State. He said he attended school in Kaduna before studying Quantity Surveying at Ahmadu Bello University.
He also stated that he pursued further studies at Harvard University and the University of London, where he studied areas such as business administration, public administration and law.
The former governor also outlined his career, which he said covered private business and public service. He worked as a consultant in quantity surveying and in the telecommunications sector before entering government service.
According to him, he served as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises between 1999 and 2003. He later served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory from 2003 to 2007 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
El-Rufai was later elected governor of Kaduna State in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, serving two terms before leaving office in 2023.
In his statement, the former governor said he believed the investigation against him was politically motivated.
He described himself as a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he referred to as a major opposition party in Nigeria.
El-Rufai suggested that his political position could be the reason for the investigation.
“I believe that after nearly two years of intensive investigation, the ICPC should present its findings to a judicial tribunal and not to me,” he wrote.
He added that he would only respond to any allegations in a court of law, where a judge would determine whether the claims against him were valid.
According to him, the investigation should not be handled outside the court system if it involves serious accusations.
In a second statement dated February 20, the former governor repeated his earlier position.
He said that after reviewing more documents presented by investigators, he had again decided to remain silent.
El-Rufai stated that he was exercising his constitutional right and would continue to do so until the matter is brought before a court.
He wrote that any further questions or documents should be presented during court proceedings where he would give his response.
Legal experts say the right to remain silent is recognised under Nigerian law and allows suspects to refuse to answer questions that may be used against them during investigations.
The ICPC is one of Nigeria’s main anti-corruption agencies responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption offences involving public officials.
The commission was established in 2000 to promote transparency and accountability in government.
Over the years, several former public officials, including governors and ministers, have been investigated by the agency over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
Although details of the specific allegations against El-Rufai have not been fully disclosed by investigators, the probe is believed to be linked to actions taken during his time as governor of Kaduna State.
During his tenure between 2015 and 2023, El-Rufai introduced several reforms in areas such as infrastructure development, education and public administration.
However, his administration also faced criticism from political opponents and some civil society groups over certain policies and governance decisions.
As the March 5 deadline approaches, attention is now focused on whether the ICPC will formally file charges against the former governor.
If the agency files charges before the expiration of the remand order, the case may move to trial where the allegations will be examined in court.
However, if no charges are filed, the court may order his release once the detention period ends.
The situation has drawn interest from political observers because of El-Rufai’s long career in Nigerian politics and his continued involvement in opposition politics after leaving office.
Analysts say the next step taken by the anti-corruption agency could determine whether the matter remains an investigation or develops into a full court case.
For now, the former governor maintains that he will not respond to investigators’ questions and will only defend himself before a judge if formal charges are filed.
