Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, gave an explanation for his refusal to respond to inquiries from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), stating that his silence was a constitutional privilege rather than a sign of disobedience.
On February 19 and 20, 2026, El-Rufai, who is presently being investigated by the anti-graft agency, gave two handwritten statements to ICPC agents while being cautious and with his attorney, Ubong E. Akpan, present.
According to Naija News, the former governor admitted reading the warning and said he grasped its significance in his initial response on February 19.
“I have read the warning above and am aware of its implications and meaning. In the presence of my attorney, Ubong Akpan, Esq., I would like to freely state from Ubong Akpan’s chambers,” he wrote.
He continued by giving personal background information on his upbringing in Kaduna, his birth in Dandawa, Katsina State, in 1960, and his academic career at Ahmadu Bello University, Harvard University, and the University of London.
El-Rufai emphasized his background in telecommunications, quantity surveying, and public service, citing his positions as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (2003–2007), Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (1999–2003), and two-term governor of Kaduna State (2015–2023).
He continued by saying that he is retired and spends most of his time in Egypt with his 96-year-old mother and half of his family.
He declined to answer the commission’s inquiries, though.
“On the advice of counsel, I have chosen to exercise my right to silence in response to your question (and indeed all of your questions).” I won’t answer any questions or make any more statements,” he wrote.
El-Rufai maintained that rather than questioning him further, the ICPC should present its conclusions to a court after almost two years of investigations.
“I think the ICPC should disclose its conclusions to a judicial panel rather than to me after over two years of intense investigation. “I will only address any accusations in a court of law,” he declared.
He also claimed that there was political motivation behind the investigation.
“The true reason you are looking into me is because I am a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the only opposition party still in existence in Nigeria,” he wrote.
“This is because, unlike political persecution, which only a judge can decide upon, I do not think these investigations amount to lawful entitlement.”
After investigators allegedly showed him further records, El-Rufai reiterated his position in a follow-up statement dated February 20, 2026.
“In accordance with my statement dated February 19, 2026, and in the presence of my attorney, Ubong E. Akpan, I would like to further state that I reserve my constitutional right to silence to all the documents and further questions upon presentation,” he wrote.
“I will answer these documents and questions only when presented in a Court of Law, as I made clear in my statement dated February 19, 2026.”
A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Bwari had earlier granted the ICPC a 14-day remand order, which is scheduled to expire on March 5, 2026.
As legal and political factors continue to influence the inquiry’s narrative, this discovery represents the most recent turn in the continuing investigation concerning the former governor.
