ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has broken his silence to explain why he has chosen to remain silent before investigators of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.
In two handwritten statements made under caution on February 19 and 20, 2026, El-Rufai said his refusal to answer questions from the anti-graft agency was deliberate, constitutionally protected and rooted in what he described as a politically motivated investigation.
The former governor, who was questioned in the presence of his lawyer, Ubong E. Akpan, insisted he would only respond to allegations in a court of law.
“I have, on the advice of counsel, decided to exercise my right to silence. I will make no further statement or respond to any question,” he wrote in his February 19 statement.
El-Rufai argued that after nearly two years of investigation, the commission should present its findings before a judicial tribunal rather than subject him to what he termed political persecution.
“I believe that after nearly two years of intensive investigation, the ICPC should present its findings to a judicial tribunal and not to me. I will respond to any allegations in a court of law only,” he stated.
In the same statement, the former governor outlined his background, noting that he was born in Dandawa, Katsina State, in 1960, attended Ahmadu Bello University, and later studied at Harvard University and the University of London.
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He recounted his career in quantity surveying, telecommunications and public service, including his roles as Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (1999–2003), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (2003–2007) and two-term governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.
He described himself as a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claiming that his political affiliation was the “real reason” behind the investigation.
El-Rufai is currently being held under a 14-day remand order obtained by the ICPC from a Chief Magistrate Court in Bwari.
The detention order is set to expire on March 5, 2026, and he may regain his freedom if charges are not filed before then.
In his follow-up statement dated February 20, the former governor reaffirmed his stance.
“Upon presentation of further documents and questions, I reserve my constitutional right to silence to all the documents and further questions. I will respond to these documents and questions only when presented in a Court of Law,” he wrote.
The development adds another layer to the unfolding legal and political standoff between the former governor and the anti-corruption agency.