Muyiwa Adekeye, media adviser to Nasir El-Rufai, has raised concerns about the former Kaduna governor’s welfare while in detention, alleging that he suffered a nosebleed and faced restrictions on access to family.[/b]
In a statement issued Monday, Adekeye said El-Rufai has been in custody for eight days after voluntarily honouring an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 16, 2026.
According to the aide, El-Rufai was interrogated and granted administrative bail but remained in custody while his lawyers sought a variation of the bail conditions. Adekeye described the continued detention as unjustified.
He further alleged that on the evening of February 17, one of El-Rufai’s wives was prevented from handing his meal to him directly and was instead instructed to pass it through an EFCC official.
Adekeye also disclosed that El-Rufai experienced an episode of overnight nosebleeding while in detention.
His legal team reportedly cited the incident in raising concerns about his health, welfare, and access to family members and counsel.
The statement added that on the night of February 18, El-Rufai was transferred from EFCC custody to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) without prior notice to him or his lawyers.
Since the transfer, his lawyers have reportedly applied for bail from the ICPC but have yet to receive a response.
Adekeye claimed that no remand order has been presented to justify detention beyond constitutionally permitted limits.
El-Rufai is scheduled to appear in court on February 25 in a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS), seeking an order admitting him to bail.
Adekeye said the circumstances surrounding the detention raise serious concerns about due process and the former governor’s welfare as legal proceedings unfold.