Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has told the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that the investigation against him is politically motivated.
The anti-graft agency is probing El-Rufai over alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.
El-Rufai, who previously served as minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has been in ICPC custody since February 19 after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission obtained statements from the former governor as part of its standard investigative procedure.
The handwritten statements, taken on February 19 and February 20, 2026, were attached to a counter-affidavit deposed by an ICPC officer in response to a suit filed by El-Rufai at the FCT high court.
El-Rufai had approached the court to challenge the legality of a search conducted at his Abuja residence on February 19.
According to The Cable, both statements were obtained from El-Rufai in the presence of his counsel, Ubong Akpan.
In the February 19 statement, the former governor said the investigation was linked to his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He added that he would exercise his right to remain silent during the interrogation and advised the commission to present the outcome of its investigation before a judicial tribunal.
In another statement taken on February 20, El-Rufai again declined to answer questions from investigators, saying he would only respond to allegations in court.
ICPC: You have been arrested on the allegation concerning the violation of Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Act No. 5 of 2000 and whatever you say or write may be used in any court of law hereafter.
El-Rufai: I have read the above cautionary statement and I understand its meaning and implication. I wish to voluntarily state, in the presence of my lawyer, Ubong Akpan, Esq., from the chambers of Ubong Akpan. My name is Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai. I was born in Dandawa, Katsina State, in 1960, and grew up mostly in Kaduna State.
I attended school in Kaduna, and went to Ahmadu Bello University for my first degree in Quantity Surveying. I also attended Harvard university and the University of London, among others. I studied Business Administration, Public Administration and Law, Public Administration and Law.
My working career spans quantity surveying consulting, mobile telecommunications and public service. I was Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (1999–2003), Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (2003–2007) and twice- elected Governor of Kaduna State (2015–2023). I am retired and live mostly in Egypt with half of my family and 96-year-old mother.
I am a leading member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria, which is the real reason you are investigating me.
In response to your question (and indeed all your questions), 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. 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.
This is because I do not believe these investigations amount to lawful entitlement, as in political persecution, which only a judge can decide upon.
Thank you.