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The former governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai has finally been released from detention.
El-Rufai was led out of the hook on Tuesday 26th May 2026 immediately after the conclusion of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential Primaries which he has vested interest.
The timing of his release is raising serious political questions across Nigeria. Many Nigerians believe the entire drama was carefully orchestrated by the All Progressive Congress APC government to put El-Rufai a political strategist out of circulation.
Nasir El-Rufai voluntarily presented himself to the EFCC on the 16th February 2026 after returning to Nigeria.
He was granted bail by the EFCC 2 days later, then re-arrested and transferred to the ICPC on the night of February 18, 2026.
A 14-day remand order was granted to El-Rufai on 19 February 2026.
The court granted a 14-day extension valid until 19 March 2026
El-Rufai was retained for at least 38 days before arraignment on 8 April 2026, and was still in custody as of early May 2026.
Since Nasir El-Rufai presented himself to ICPC on February 16, 2026, he has been freed by courts and re-arrested by security agencies and given stiffer bail conditions.
El-Rufai was released after 97 days in detention on Tuesday 26th May 2026 after the APC and ADC presidential primaries has been over
