Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, has told the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that his investigation is “politically motivated”.
The ICPC is currently probing el-Rufai over alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as governor of Kaduna state between 2015 and 2023.
The ex-minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 19 after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission had obtained statements from el-Rufai in line with standard operating practice.
The handwritten statements obtained by ICPC investigators on February 19 and February 20, 2026 were contained in a counter-affidavit deposed by an ICPC officer against the suit filed by el-Rufai at the FCT high court.
El-Rufai had challenged the legality of the search conducted on his Abuja residence on February 19.
Both statements, seen by Reporters, were obtained from el-Rufai in the presence of Ubong Akpan, his counsel.
In the February 19 statement, the ex-governor said the main reason he is being investigated by the commission is because he is a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), “the only surviving opposition party in Nigeria”.
El-Rufai said he would exercise his right to silence by not responding to the questions asked by the ICPC investigators, adding that the commission should present the findings of its two-year investigation to a judicial tribunal.
In the February 20 statement, el-Rufai again exercised his right to silence, adding that he will only respond to questions 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.
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