Fresh anxiety has trailed the detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasjr El-rufai, following claims that he suffered a nosebleed while in custody and was prevented from receiving food directly from his family.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, who said the former governor has now spent eight days in detention after honouring an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on February 16, 2026.
According to the aide, El-Rufai was interrogated and later granted administrative bail.
However, he has remained in custody as his lawyers seek a review of the bail conditions, a situation described as unjustified and excessive.
Adekeye alleged that on February 17, one of El-Rufai’s wives attempted to deliver food to him but was stopped from handing it over personally. She was instructed to pass the meal through an official of the commission instead.
He further claimed that the former governor suffered a nosebleed overnight while in detention, a development that has heightened concerns among his family and legal team about his health, welfare and access to loved ones and counsel.
The statement also revealed that on the night of February 18, El-Rufai was moved from EFCC custody to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission without prior notice to him or his lawyers.
Since the transfer, his legal team has reportedly applied for bail before the commission but has not received any response.
Adekeye insisted that no valid remand order has been presented to justify the continued detention of the former governor beyond constitutionally permitted limits.
He added that El-Rufai is expected to appear before the Federal High Court on February 25 in a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the Department of State Services, seeking an order admitting him to bail.
The aide warned that the situation raises serious questions about due process and the protection of detainees’ rights as legal proceedings commence.
Court documents show that El-Rufai is also challenging the search of his Abuja residence by anti-corruption operatives, which his lawyers described as unlawful and defective.
Through his counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, he argued that the search warrant used was flawed and lacked proper legal basis, making the operation unconstitutional.
His legal team further claimed that documents and electronic devices were seized without an inventory, contrary to existing laws governing arrests and searches.
The former governor is asking the court to nullify the search, order the return of all seized items and award ₦1 billion in damages.
They also stated that the incident caused “significant psychological trauma, humiliation, distress, reputational damage, and emotional harm.”
The latest allegations surrounding his health and treatment in custody have intensified scrutiny of the conduct of security agencies handling the matter.
